Roger's Home Journal

Lifestyles of the Poor and Anonymous

By Roger Faris

Perhaps a simple life, with less stuff, could be more filled with happiness. At the recent Renters Summit, participants exchanged dozens of good ideas for affordable ways of living in the city. Experiments are already under way, but more need to be tried out.

Shared housing arrangements can keep housing costs under control and be beneficial in many other ways. Thousands of people live in cooperative households throughout our city. The Senior Services Homesharing Program (phone 448-5725) matches people who want to share their homes with others who are looking for a place to live. The only requirement is that one person in each match be at least 55 years of age. This can reduce living costs, increase security, and enrich the lives of both people.

Co-housing is another cooperative solution, in which members of a group plan and construct a community of small homes, and share common areas that are used by all of the residents. Several very successful co-housing developments have taken shape in our region.

Land Trust projects involve purchase of land by a non-profit entity, such as Homestead Community Land Trust (phone 324-6822). With this arrangement, subsequent construction and sale of a home involves a long-term lease on the land, with lease restrictions which help maintain affordability.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as "mother-in-law" apartments, have been legalized in recent years. Unfortunately, the need for cozy, affordable units in basements and attics is growing much faster than the supply. With direction from the City Council, our Seattle Department of Design, Construction, and Land Use (DCLU) is now allowing us to explore other alternatives through a Demonstration Program for Innovative Housing. The idea is to promote projects which create more affordable and compact types of housing while minimizing the impacts of increased urban density.

Under the Demonstration Program, property owners have been invited to submit proposals for detached accessory dwelling units, cottage housing (including cottage housing with above-garage units), tandem housing, or small lot single family development. The goal is to test new or more flexible regulations and processes which encourage the construction of types of housing that are not currently being produced, but which fit in with or improve the character of the neighborhood. A design review process helps to ensure that fit.

I've known for a long time that living on a boat can be a beautiful form of escape from high cost housing. Among other benefits is that fact that accumulation of a lot of things is not an option for live-aboard boaters. Lately, though, the cost of tying up to a dock has become amazingly steep. Iíve thought of an economical option which might be acceptable in a neighborhood with a proud maritime heritage. Here's the outline of my Welcome Aboard Program: I'll relocate a beautiful old boat to a new moorage in a Ballard backyard (or in Phinney, Fremont, or anywhere there are people with vision). There are plenty of boats that are no longer seaworthy, and available for almost nothing. A carefully selected design review committee will meet to drink ale and determine that the boat has good lines (and will be an aesthetic enhancement to the neighborhood... sorry, no Bayliners). It'll be set into the ground (and surrounded by a sea of blue-dyed gravel?). The lucky live-aboard occupant will have the option of taking the nickname "Captain."

On the other hand, maybe I don't need a lot of bureaucratic rules to go ahead with my Ship-To-Shore Program, or whatever the name was. Damn my eyes if it isn't already fine to store a boat out in the yard, and I wouldnít actually be renting it to a "tenant." Rather, it would be a "charter." Aaargg! Pass the ale.

Roger Faris is the director of the Well Home Program at the Phinney Neighborhood Association. The program provides advice, encouragement, tools, and classes for home improvement and repair. Call (206) 789-4993 for information. For the Home Earthquake Retrofit Program, call (206) 382-2159.

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