Across North America tiny homes are continuing to grow in popularity and becoming a modern living solution for the next generation of home owners. Many people are foregoing the traditional home instead opting to downsize towards a simpler and more sustainable lifestyle.

For one community in Detroit tiny living is showing another unique benefit; helping low income workers take their first step towards the American Dream of home ownership. The project was started by Cass Community Social Services, and while not the first project focused on providing homes to those in need, it is the first to adopt a ‘Rent-to-Own’ model which will see residents holding property deeds at the end of their payments.

Rent-to-own Tiny Homes

Rev. Faith Fowler, who serves as the executive director at Cass Community Social Services, said they wanted to create a new type of program that would help low-income individuals establish wealth. “That is why the rent-to-own model is so important” said Rev. Fowler, ”we hope that by moving from renters to owners the residents will establish the financial discipline and home ownership skills to help them take the next step.”

To participate in the program, prospects applied for residency in the tiny homes and were then ranked according to their financial history, past housing experience, credit checks, personal references, and interviews. Rev Fowler explained that at this stage of the program it will be those that score highest in these metrics that will be selected as they’ve demonstrated the best chance of completing the path to ownership.

Residents who are selected will rent the tiny homes with a controlled monthly payment of no more than 33% of their monthly income. After seven years of successful rent payments the residents will be given the opportunity to take ownership of the home and property.

25 Tiny Homes by 2018

As of July 2017, six tiny homes have been completed and are ready for move in, with an additional nineteen planned for completion by the end of 2017. In addition to providing the homes, Cass is offering financial coaching to help residents have the best chance possible at becoming a home owner. “We want to cover everything from establishing budgets and eliminating debt to exploring options to make more money by leveraging skills” Rev. Fowler says, “the homes are right by our facilities and we hope that will encourage residents to utilized the services we have to offer.”

Rev. Fowler and many like her across North America believe that projects such as this one can truly empower individuals to improve their situation. And through hard work and the right opportunities we expect these latest Tiny Home owners to do just that.





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