Many people around the world simply don’t have the opportunity to purchase their own home. However, Rural Studio has tackling the problem since 2005 with their 20K House project.
Rural Studio is an off-campus design and build program run by Auburn University, and is attempted to make home ownership viable for the less well off. Their main goal is to create safe and comfortable homes for just $20,000.
The program was launched in response to the need for affordable local housing and it was designed to offer people a competitive alternative (financially speaking) to mobile homes. The total cost of the houses, just $20,000, was derived from the maximum perceived amount that someone on Social Security checks could afford to pay.
Rural Studio has currently completed 12 different houses as part of the 20K House project. Each house has cost approximately $12,000 for materials, and a further $8,000 is reserved for external contractors and profit (which is presumably fed back into the program).
There’s quite a bit of variety among the houses, with no two alike. They’re all different sizes, and are built and finished with different materials, but each house has been meticulously designed. The houses contain features such as a concrete safe room, protecting the inhabitants from tornadoes, and passive cooling to minimise the owners need for expensive air-conditioning.
Rural Studio are currently looking to expand upon their existing portfolio of houses – they’re looking to build an additional eight 20K Houses in Hale County. In the future they hope to change 20K House from a university program to a mass-marketed product. If you’d like to get involved by volunteering or donating to the program, why not visit their website.
For more small houses check out this modern family home in Sweden built and designed to a modest budget, or this amazing house that cantilevers off a cliff in Nova Scotia. See all small houses.
Via: Gizmag
Photos: Tim Hursley/RuralStudio 20K
I am a REALTOR in Northern NY State, in one of the highest taxed places that’s part of the poorest county in the state. There are a LOT that want, or need their own place, but don’t qualify for any financing in these hard times. This would be a great way to get them in a place. And help establish credit. What about septic and wells? Are those part of the cost?
Do you have to pay up front or do you make monthly payments. My husband is divorcing me I need to find a place to live that won’t cost a lot.
I think this would be great for seniors on a fixed pension, I wonder which house plans they used, these houses look very space efficient?
These are really nice and open with a lot of space. I like the big porches. I think these or something similar should be available to everyone! It gives such a sense of dependence and ownership that they probably could not have otherwise. Not having to rely on someone else for housing is HUGE!
GREETINGS I WOULD LIKE MORE INFO ON THIS PROJECT. WE HAVE A LOCAL COLLEGE THAT HAS CLASSES IN FOR PROJECT JUST LIKE THIS ONE. BUT ITS ONLY ON HANDS IN CLASS ROOMS. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT THEM AND OUR “USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO SEE IT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SUPPORTED IN OUR AREA. WE HAVE AND INCLUDING MY SELF HAVE A LOW COST HOUSING PROBLEM. IT SEEM LIKE EVERYONE IS DOWNSIZING AND DOESN’T LEAVE MUCH OUT THERE FOR LOW INCOME FOLKS. WOULD LOVE TO SEE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS STARTED IN MY AREA OF ILLINOIS. MY HUSBAND AND I LOST ALL OF LIFE SAVINGS TO MEDICAL EXPENSES THAT WE DIDN’T PROJECT FOR. WE LIVE ON SOC SEC. AND I HAVE MS AND NEED SOMETHING MORE PRACTICAL TO LIVE IN. PLEASE ADVISE OF WHERE I CAN RESEARCH MORE ABOUT YOUR PROJECT. THANK YOU BARB
Hey Barb, for more info about the project and to contact people, check out their website: http://www.ruralstudio.org/
Landlords will build these and rent them out at current market rates.
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I like the concept, different looks for individual styles. Is there a set of the different house plans available? Are there some that align same size different space use?
How can I see what you have in more depth?