Cass Tiny Homes, currently Detroit’s largest tiny house development, will build two blocks of 25 tiny homes on Detroit’s west side. This is the first type of this project in Detroit, and maybe even Michigan. The development will result in a community for low-income earners who might otherwise encounter difficulty on the path to home ownership. Each of the houses is expected to be between 250 and 400 square feet with all of the houses costing a total of $1.5 million. The homes are planned to be built over two years.
The first model unit for these homes was built on Elmhurst, just west of the John C. Lodge Freeway (M-10), and is a beige 300 sq. ft. Tudor-style home introduced in September 2016. It has a combined kitchen, living room, and dining nook with views outside the front windows. On the left of the kitchen is an open closet-sized bedroom and to the right is a relatively large bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. Other interior features include a lovely arched ceiling, an alcove for a twin bed, and a table with four chairs. The home also has amenities like granite counters, a washer-dryer combination, a dishwasher, and air conditioning. A deck will be a later addition to the back of the structure. The exterior of the house is stucco with a steep brown roof and a decorative stone chimney.
Cass Community Social Services is the Detroit-based agency behind this affordable housing project. The project aims to overcome the ravaged and vacant lots in the neighborhood by targeting singles or couples for home ownership. Targeted groups may include formerly homeless men and women, seniors, college students, and Cass Community staff members. A maximum of one to two people will be allowed in each house during the first phase. Applicants are required to document low income as per federal U.S. Housing and Urban Development income guidelines. Other requirements include criminal history, rental history, and work history checks. Applicant will also have to undergo an interview.
The program uses a rent-to-own model. Tenants begin with a lease and transfer into a house and land contract with full ownership after seven years. Most homebuyers in the program are expected to spend a maximum of 30 percent of their monthly income on rent and utilities. The amount of rent will be based on the building’s square footage. A 250-square-foot home would cost $250 monthly, a 300-square-foot home would be $300 a month, and this pattern continues up until $400 for the largest homes.
Six other houses were already being built in September 2016 on Monterey Street between the John C. Lodge Service Drive and Woodrow Wilson. Applications in 2016 for the first seven houses start on October 1st and will be accepted until the end of the month. Building and occupancy for these first set of houses is planned for October or November 2016. The second phase of construction will include six houses to be constructed in spring 2017.
Casa Community is raising funds for the project. The Ford Motor Co. Fund, one of the major supporters of the program, has donated $400,000 and the RNR Foundation has donated $65,000. In September 2016, Casa Community had achieved as much as $700,000 of the $1.5 million goal.
The houses being constructed on the north end of Cass Community Social Services’ campus between the John C. Lodge service drive and Woodrow Wilson, are replacing vacant homes in the area. Each home will be on its own lot (approximately 30’ x 100’) and foundation. In addition, each home will have a completely unique design. Most will feature a front porch or rear deck to augment the living space. Building costs for each house is approximately $40,000 to $50,000. The houses are being built by both professional tradespeople (under the supervision of a general contractor) and volunteer teams. These builders will be responsible for the finishing jobs of tiling, installing drywall, painting, gardening, building decks, and erecting fences.
There is the possibility of other tiny homes being built in more Detroit neighborhoods as there are 300 vacant lots within a mile of the current project. As for the current project of 25 units at Elmhurst and John C. Lodge Freeway, the other homes in this community plan to be built over a two-year period. Applications for the tiny homes are only open at certain times during the year and are announced by Casa Community. When applications are open, forms must be picked up and dropped off at the CCSS Scott Building located at 11850 Woodrow Wilson; Detroit, MI 48206. No application forms will be sent or accepted through mail, fax, or email.
CONTACT INFO
Cass Community Social Services:
General Info, To Request Speaker, Make Financial Contributions:
Rev. Faith Fowler, Executive Director
313-883-2277 x201
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Arrange for a tour of the Tiny House:
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To Volunteer:
Sue Pethoud, Community Relations Liaison
313-883-2277 x203
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Donate building materials (bricks, paint, countertops, etc.):
Stacy Conwell-Leigh
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