I took an hour of my day to listen to the “Innovative Approaches to Solving the Housing Crisis: PPPs, Tiny Homes, and Air Rights” webinar presented by Meeting of the Minds (http://www.cityminded.org).

There were two good presentations; Patrick Kennedy of Panoramic Interests, who discussed the housing crisis in major cities, shifting desires and needs of the younger generations (i.e. Millennials) and different solutions. Darin Dinsmore of Buildbrite.com talked about the variety of smaller housing solutions, focused on what he described as the Small, Extra Small, and Extra Extra Small.

I think the need for some of the micro-housing solutions is obvious in major cities (i.e. the top ten most expensive cities)

My thoughts after listening to this, are micro housing solutions workable and desirable for cities like Dallas? I am looking at a 6900 square foot lot zoned for multifamily, located in a depressed neighborhood that is a mix of small multifamily and single family homes. Based on existing zoning, taking into consideration setbacks, density requirements, parking etc… I could squeeze 8 units onto the property two 900 sq ft 2 bedroom units and four 450 sq ft 1 bedroom or studios in a two story building.

Obviously, there is a financial component to this problem, current rents vs. building cost. What are your thoughts about dense small size housing in metro markets that are more spread out and do not have the public transportation infrastructure that other cities have?

I am also wondering if small housing works without the communal spaces that seem to come along with it in the larger cities? Would 8 units require those communal spaces, or would close proximity to those amenities be enough?