Lessons from Four Small Housing Communities
Once common in California, small home communities are now experiencing a surge of interest as we look for housing solutions that better match smaller household sizes while providing both privacy and common space for social connections. Small housing community models are as diverse as the communities they house. Casita Coalition’s October webinar provided space to explore four different small home communities, and the opportunity to learn more about their benefits.
Radish: A DIY Co-Living Community in Oakland
Phil Levin
Phil and his wife Kristen, a behavioral scientist, sought to design a living situation that emphasized the quality and proximity of their personal relationships. They created Radish, a “DIY co-living” community composed of a group of friends who own the property together. Radish is an 18-person, 6-building neighborhood that is co-owned by 20 people. Their community benefits include shared food and cars, communal space with a hot tub, fire pit, storage sheds, deck, gardens, guest room, industrial kitchen, and shared childcare. All the residents pay rent in a co-owned LLC. They are currently adding two ADUs to the property in order to expand the community, and have seen a ripple effect in the neighborhood as people have purchased homes near Radish to participate in the community space. Phil writes about his experience curating the Radish experiment online, providing free information to others who want to pilot similar co-living models.
Co-Living for the East Bay’s Unhoused
Jonathan Russell
Bay Area Community Services, a nonprofit providing homeless and housing services and community-based mental health and wellness services, is currently implementing a real estate development strategy to house more people. The organization is purchasing single-family homes to convert to neighborhood-based affordable co-living housing for people experiencing homelessness. Their current focus is on properties with the potential for infill development - where an ADU or two could be added to the lot in addition to the main co-living structure. These properties would ideally feature more public, shared spaces in addition to deeply affordable housing units. Jonathan Russell, BACS Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, emphasizes that we need neighborhood-based, deeply affordable housing - because unaffordable housing creates a re-segregated environment. BACS has just under 200 units of deeply affordable housing in the East Bay, and currently has 6-8 properties in development that either have ADUs, or intend to add ADUs.
Leveraging Empty Property to Create Transitional Housing in San Diego
Jared Basler
San Diego’s ADU bonus program, which took effect in 2021, provides additional density rather than monetary subsidies, giving people the opportunity to add additional units in addition to their by-right ADU. Some properties have used this bonus program to create mini neighborhoods on large lots. Over 490 units of housing are being produced as part of this project, which has been a great opportunity to provide a rolling stock of deed-restricted affordable housing. One problem: it can be hard to rent out the primary dwelling on a lot while waiting for permits to come through. One San Diego developer has turned this problem into an opportunity by partnering with Jewish Family Services to provide transitional housing for refugees from all over the world. Up until recently, organizations like JFS were using AirBnb credits to provide transitional housing, but by offering up these vacant homes, multiple problems are solved at once. The week of the webinar, refugee families moved into two of these vacant properties. Jared Basler, Casita Coalition membership and policy advisor and consultant on the project, remarked that there are plenty of organizations in need of transitional housing, and that it was easier to create the partnership than one might think.
Affordable Cottage Community in Paso Robles
Jack Phelan
Jack Phelan spent a good portion of his career working for large homebuilders and realized the great results that can be achieved through density. His company, Cal Coastal Communities, is currently developing the second phase of its first flagship cottage community called Grand Oaks Paseo, featuring small stick-built homes in the 200-300k range. Jack believes that the pocket community model could be a great model for California cities, since these communities are attractive and appealing, fit naturally within existing neighborhoods, and provide character.
Welcome, new members!
Casita Coalition welcomed three new business members in October, including:
Dirt to Keys
Revival Homes
Welcome to Casita Coalition! We look forward to ongoing conversation and collaboration with you all!
To join Casita Coalition, click here.
Member News & Events
November 2: Webinar with the WellNest Company
Want to know more about ADU financing? Check out this free webinar with KeyPoint Credit Union and The WellNest Company!
November: 4 PreFab ADU Tours with Napa Sonoma ADU
Napa Sonoma ADU is partnering with 13 different accessory dwelling unit designers, architects, prefab companies and finance professionals to bring FOUR in-person ADU events in the City of Napa in November:
Sunday, Nov 6 from 11:30 am - 4 pm
Wednesday, Nov 9 from 1 - 5 pm
Saturday, Nov 19 from 11:30 am - 4 pm
Wednesday, Nov 30 from 1 - 5 pm
The Mercury News - Maxable is looking to make building ADUs in Bay Area easier
An interview with Caitlin Bigelow, CEO of Casita Coalition Member Maxable.
Diablo Magazine - Habitat: Accessory Dwelling Units
Casita Members Inspired ADUs and New Avenue Homes were both featured in this piece on ADUs.