Chapter 10Nontraditional Housing

I. Manufactured Homes

Manufactured housing is what the public often refers to as “mobile home”

A MANUFACTURED HOME is built in a factory and has a steel chassis frame that is an integral part of the structure

Nontraditional Housing

II. Modular Homes

The difference between manufactured homes and modular homes is the HUD Code and the use of a steel chassis

MODULAR HOMES are constructed to comply only with state and local building codes

Modular homes are factory built without a chassis and shipped on flatbed trucks

Modular Homes

III. Prefabricated Homes

PREFABRICATED HOMES are generally referred to as “panelized housing components built in factories and assembled on-site”

In some states, prefabricated housing is inspected at the factory so it does NOT have to be torn apart for local on-site inspections

Prefabricated Homes

IV. Precut Homes

In the late 1800s, home pattern books were in vogue and precut home kits could be ordered

The PRECUT HOME KITS included all materials and directions

Precut Homes

V. Shell Homes

The SHELL HOME has an exterior that is generally completed with windows, siding, and roofing, which is set on a foundation, but the interior in incomplete

Many buyers “camp” in their shell homes while they do the finishing work

Shell Homes

VI. Accessory Dwelling Units

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS are built on land already containing a housing unit

ADUs can be attached or detached units

Don’t confuse ADU with a room rental

In California, every city must have an ADU ordinance

ADUs and Granny Flats

VII. Elder Cottage Housing

Opportunity

ECHO housing is an accessory dwelling unit for seniors

Also called “granny flats,” ECHO housing is an affordable option for seniors

Occupants need to be 62 years of age or older and must meet relationship requirements

ECHO

VIII. Multigenerationa

l Housing

Multigenerational Housing

Today we are seeing more multigenerational housing, especially in area where there are many immigrants and first generation Americans

Multigenerational families often seek large homes with guest houses or suites

IX. Co-Housing

A CO-HOUSING unit consists of a common building with a large dining area, commercial kitchen, childcare area, library, recreational areas, and workshop

Residents live in separate small buildings and own and run the facility making decisions in common

Co-Housing

X. Group Homes

GROUP HOMES are supervised housing units for a number of unrelated individuals who have a common problem

Group homes exist for some of the following:◦ Mentally challenged◦ Alcohol or drug abuse◦ Troubled teenagers◦ Released prisoners

Group homes are run as businesses by individuals as well as by nonprofit groups

Group Homes

XI. Lofts

The economics of converting a sound structure into loft units for rent or sale as condominiums makes sense

Loft units can be produced at far less cost than a conventional apartment

Lofts

XII. Build-Up Units

Adding a rental as a second story, is far less costly than building a rental unit elsewhere

Many of these build-up units are sought after because they offer privacy, and in some cases, amenities such as roof gardens

Build-Up Units

XIII. Shared Housing

Having a room mate is a popular way of sharing housing and housing costs

Single persons are more likely to share a home with another single person than with a family unit

Shared Housing

XIV. Single Room Occupancy

Low income singles and couples who cannot afford a home or apartment are able to rent rooms

In Los Angeles, a private nonprofit organization called, Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation, has been purchasing old transient hotels and renovating them for permanent housing for the homeless

The organization rents the rooms for $150 to $240 per month

SROs

XV. Recreational Vehicle Homes

RVs RECREATIONAL VEHICLE HOMES are campers,

small trailers and motor homes

A growing number of RV owners have no permanent home and live in their RV

While some may enjoy this nomadic lifestyle, it is believed that the majority choose this way of life out of pure economic necessity

XVI. Rental Rooms

At one time, rooms to rent were more readily available in boarding houses and private residences

Privacy issues are one of the reasons that fewer people are willing to rent unused space in their homes

Most owners will NOT share their homes with others

Rental Rooms

Children of baby boomers are now hitting colleges in record numbers, resulting in housing shortages on campus

Students have been spilling over into nearby communities, which has resulted in increased rents

Landlords favor students over families since they can rent a unit to a number of students at double the rent a family could pay

A. College Housing

XVII. Retirement Housing

Retirement Housing Most retirees remain in their home communities

Residents of retirement communities tend to be white, middle and upper class couples

Large retirement communities sell a way of life, as well as housing

XVIII. Assisted Care Facilities

Assisted care facilities offer residents their own dwelling unit, which might have a kitchen

The facilities offers meal, planned daily activities and transportation for shopping

Rents are often twice what a similar sized unit would rent for in an apartment building

Assisted Care Facilities

XIX. Life Care Facilities

Life care facilities guarantee residents that they will be taken care of for life

Most life care facilities are being built by private developers who are encouraged by demographics showing the aging population

The average buyer of a life care unit either has serious health problems or is worried about health problems

Life Care Facilities

XX. Vacation Homes

VACATION HOMES are second homes for seasonal or occasional use

The majority of vacation homeowners also own their primary residence

Vacation Homes

XXI. Condotels

CONDOTELS are hotels that have been converted or built as condominiums

Individual rooms are sold to private owners and a management company rents the unit when the owner is not present

Condotels

XXII. Timeshares

Timeshares are exclusive occupancy rights in a vacation property for a set period of time each year

Most timeshares are in resort communities

Today, many timeshares are sold based on the owner’s ability to trade weeks, often at exotic locations

Timeshares

XXIII. Marina Living

Many boat owners live on their boats year round

It is quite an expensive way to live with:◦ High maintenance costs◦ High berthing costs

Many communities have stopped all marina construction making it difficult to find a spot to berth your boat

Marina Living

Manufactured Homes Modular Homes Prefabrication Homes

Precut Homes

Shell Homs

ADUs

ECHO

Multigenerational Housing

Co-Housing Group Homes Lofts

Build-Up Units

Shared Housing

SROs

Chapter Summary

RVs

Rental Rooms

Retirement Housing

Assisted Care Facilities

Life Care Facilities

Chapter Summary

Vacation Homes

Condotels

Timeshares

Marina Living