CHALLENGE:
Extremely low income (ELI) working-class wages do not rise with increased rentals and property values. Further, inflation erodes a family's living conditions even in times of relative stability. Insufficient income and lack of affordable housing are the leading causes of homelessness. Homelessness disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities. After paying their rent and utilities, 75% of ELI households end up with less than half of their income to pay for necessities such as food, medicine, transportation, or childcare.

OUTCOME:
Hope Village is a unique proposition: a non-profit and commercial developer collaboration.
It is a privately funded community of thirteen fully-furnished, 400-square-foot, single-family homes with wraparound porches and side yards created for homeownership for working, extremely low-income people or families who have experienced homelessness. The commercial developer is covering the difference between the actual cost and the sales price ($25,000) to the future homeowners.

The project is 99.93% privately funded with .07% public funding via a Baltimore City Youth Fund Grant. In addition, the Non-profit has established a program with the University of Maryland to provide advice and guidance for each new homeowner for their first three years in their home.

Design Excellence: Does the design elevate the human experience while addressing the project’s practical needs?
The design projects a sense of a quality, in a tiny community, drawing on contextual patterns, typologies, and readily available construction methods. The solution is a fresh and natural fit within the existing neighborhood. Wrap-around-porches extend the interior space and expand the living area of each home. Existing 500-600 SF lots were combined to permit each home to have a side yard on the south side of their lot. Fences define each private yard.

Sustainable Design / Resiliency: Does the design take a progressive approach to advancing the missions of sustainability and/or resiliency?
Each home is designed to be energy efficient Lighting is LED and appliances are Energy Star® rated. Heating, cooling, and ventilation are provided via an energy efficient, 24 SEER, ductless mini-split system and energy recovery ventilator. Each home is fitted with a fire suppression system.

Community Impact: Does the design provide significant improvement to its social or physical setting?
The design transforms twenty-eight existing 576 SF lots into thirteen, landscaped 1,152 SF lots with 400 SF homes and wrap around porches and a community garden space. Historic granite curbs will be restored and retained.