How might we establish an affordable housing program that reinvigorates a community and acts as a catalyst for long-term infrastructure improvements?
Ezio Community Development Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating improved, thriving communities through community development, economic development, and community engagement. As an awardee of the Design Services Program, we worked alongside the organization to design an affordable single-family house and create a comprehensive schematic plan for future affordable homes in the Manningdale neighborhood of Joliet, IL. This project is part of a larger eff ort to establish a housing program that reinvigorates the Manningdale community and leads to long-term infrastructure improvements.
PROCESS
We began by studying three potential options for the initial site, each with a minimum of three bedrooms, two baths, a living room, kitchen, and two-car garage. The options varied from one- and two-story slab on grade as well as a one-story slab on grade with a basement. The home was intended to be family-friendly and meets the needs of its future owner as they age. The goal was to provide a design that could be constructed within Ezio’s $300,000 budget for the completion of its first home. At the end of the study, we determined that the best option was a one-story home with an unfinished basement.
SOLUTION
Our design for the three-bedroom home features an attached garage, driveway, kitchen and living spaces, laundry, storage, mechanical, landscape, and other program areas along with a schematic design package for the next phase of development.
In addition, we assembled a checklist with sustainable strategies, programs, and systems to incorporate into the design. We also crafted an RFP for architectural and engineering services for the organization to issue to qualified partners.
Using the final design package for the first home and schematic design plan for the next phase of development provided by our team, Ezio moved forward with construction of the initial 2,000 SF home and created marketing and fundraising plans for its affordable housing development.
PARTNERS
Community Partner