The Future of Affordable Housing?

This summer, my family and I vacationed on Oahu, HI. There we saw how ordinary people struggle in one of the most expensive housing markets in the US. Basically, if you can’t afford the enormous local rents that the market demands, you end up camping on the beach, permanently.

Imagine tent cities of tarps, ropes, portable BBQs and other makeshift shelter accroutrements… this is what you’ll find on the Northwest shore of Oahu. Along with gangs, graffiti, crime and all kinds of nastiness not associated with paradise. But the hardworking folks who keep the tourists in orchid petals have to live somewhere…

Here in Northern Nevada we have very cold winters, so camping out on the Truckee River is much more uncomfortable. We also have more land, so blending in is generally easier. People can squat in the desert or live in more affordable mobile homes in Sun Valley and get by. But what are some possible long term solutions for regular people just starting out?

Newer manufactured housing options defy the mobile home stereotype and are barely distinguishable from stick built homes. In fact, they are usually more energy efficient since components are assembled in controlled factory settings rather than in unpredictable conditions onsite. But does every mobile home have to look like a little clapboard house wanna-be? Does everyone really want to live in a traditional square box?

Enter the new age of modular design. I’m not sure if this will solve Oahu’s problem because land costs are so high, but wouldn’t it be interesting if a bunch of homes like these could be installed on small plots of public land to mitigate the problem? Even a small enclave on private lands in the desert outside Reno might provide a stylish, affordable solution.

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