Design Objectives for Low Cost Housing

In many areas throughout the country, the 21st century has seen an increase in demand for low cost or affordable housing. In planning and designing these residences, state and local stake-holders have to take into account a number of factors ranging from affordability to space management to structural durability. Some designers even want to incorporate green agendas into design and construction.

Pricing Requirements

• The first design element to be taken into consideration is related to cost. When all materials, labor, investment activity and other criteria are factored in, the housing unit must still fall within a price range that is feasible for individuals in the lower income brackets. As stated by Michael P. Johnson in a paper offered at the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management Carnegie Mellon University, this means that the cost of the mortgage, lease or rent should never exceed 30 percent of the individual's salary. Thus, design elements should provide a structure of adequate integrity along with construction economy.

Centrality

• Often, affordable, low-income housing can be identified by multiple or larger-than-average families sharing limited space. As the home usually occupies a place of centrality to individuals' social, emotional and personal lives, problems can arise from crowding. Kari Carney, in a thesis at Washington State University, describes a phenomenon called proxemics, which identifies the control an individual has over movement, interactions and freedom of his or her environment. At home, this translates into how individuals socialize and maintain their personal space for optimum health and communication. Thus, housing design must maximize this sense of space and flow for the individual while also accenting the home as the emotional center of gathering and sharing.

Going Green

• As communities around the country try to develop innovative and timely strategies to deal with housing crises, many analysts are advocating the integration of green-minded strategies in design. The Drachman Institute in particular offers a number of ideas in this regard. They include limiting the footprint of the structure through the provision of smaller lots; curtailing residents' fuel costs through placing the housing close to public transportation; including features and fixtures that provide economical use of water, electric and other utilities; and designing spaces that let neighbors keep an eye on each other and on potential problems, promoting a sense of safety.

Durability

• To truly enhance both cost effectiveness and quality of life, low-cost housing must be built to last. NHI Shelter-force suggests that initial costs needn't exceed moderate costs in order for sustainable materials and design to be employed. For example, the organization states that the difference between initially building a three-ply roof as opposed to a two-ply is only a "few hundred dollars." The benefit is that, with little to no additional cost to the builder or resident, durability of the roof can be extended decades. Similar durable building strategies thus benefit builders, investors and residents alike.