Housing Toolkit Promotes ‘Infill Micro-Housing’

A report developed for Chattanooga and Hamilton County outlines potential small housing types that could easily and affordably fit into existing neighborhoods.

1 minute read

August 23, 2024, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Aerial view of Chattanooga, Tennessee with a colorful sunset sky.

Marcus Jones / Adobe Stock

A Homelessness & Incremental Housing Toolkit recommends designs for “small, proximate, private, and dignified housing” that could be built on existing residential lots to create a new source of affordable housing in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Robert Steuteville describes the report on the Congress for New Urbanism site, noting that “The small individual buildings allow for privacy—and for housing to fit into existing neighborhoods.”

According to the toolkit’s authors, “The focus on infill at a manageable scale avoids concentrations of poverty.” The proposed housing types include studio cottages, duplexes, one-bedroom cottages, and small, two-story multifamily buildings. “ The units are designed to be attractive (“dignified”) yet inexpensive to construct. The building forms are simple, with inexpensive roof lines and foundations, and efficient plumbing and utilities.”

The homes are designed to fit into existing neighborhoods and access existing transit and other resources and infrastructure. “This toolkit is targeted to ways to increase housing supply in a way to maximize benefits while limiting resistance to traditional homelessness housing responses,” the authors explain.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 in Congress For New Urbanism

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

People with bikes ordering at food trucks outdoors.

Raleigh Launches Greenway Food Truck Pilot to Enhance Park Experiences

Raleigh’s new Greenway Food Truck Pilot Program brings local food vendors to popular greenway locations to enhance park experiences, support small businesses, and encourage community use of public spaces.

30 minutes ago - City of Raleigh

"Units for sale - contact your local realtor" sign in front of homes.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods

A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

May 19 - Next City

Turquoise blue Pyramid Lake near Reno, Nevada.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan

A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.

May 19 - Inside Climate News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.