Small-Footprint Home Development Concept
About the Pilot Project
Like much of the nation, Ottawa County faces a significant housing shortage. The Ottawa County Housing Advisory Board and the Department of Strategic Impact is dedicated to identifying solutions to availability and affordability of housing. Although there are myriad reasons for the current housing crunch, one attractive and practical solution the board and DSI zeroed in on is building Smaller Footprint Homes. At approximately 1,000 square feet or smaller and situated on appropriately sized lots, these traditionally sized homes could sell for less than half of the median price for an Ottawa County abode, which is well above $400,000. These attainable dwellings could realistically increase housing stock.
The goals of this pilot are three-fold:
1) Develop a series of open-source architectural plans and material lists that home builders, developers and citizens can utilize.
2) Analyze zoning and policy barriers and work with municipalities to allow for smaller-footprint homes.
3) Recruit builders and nonprofits to invest in this type of housing, demonstrating the quality and creating momentum.
In the News
Explore previous press releases and other related materials:
Ottawa Out Loud Episode: Small Homes, Big Impact (04/03/2025)
Press Release (02/18/2025)
Press Release (05/30/2024)
Small-Footprint Home Development Concept Survey Data and Testimonials
NOW AVAILABLE: FREE HOME PLANS
Recruited by DSI, Holland-based design consultant Nick Rolinski and staff intern Matt Daub (Hope College undergrad studying civil engineering) have worked with the Housing Advisory Board, DSI, and partners to develop a series of four unique small-footprint home plans designed to fit anywhere in Ottawa County. These non-proprietary designs are made free for public use!
More Information
Frequently Asked Questions
The Small-Footprint Homes Development Concept project has the community talking! You have questions, we have answers.
Aren’t these just ‘Tiny Homes’?
No. A tiny home – as defined by International Residential Code – is a dwelling under 400 square feet. The four home designs under development range from 440 square feet to over 1,000 square feet. Also, unlike the stereotypical tiny home, the dwellings for this project will be on permanent slab or basement foundations – not wheels.
Is Ottawa County building homes?
No. We’re not as a County in the business of building homes. With this project, we’re working with community partners to demonstrate from start to finish how and why small-footprint homes can and should be built.
Why smaller homes?
Smaller homes were common a century ago. Drive through any of the beloved historic districts of cities such as Holland and Grand Haven and you see homes built in the 600-1,000 square-foot range. Additionally, many people, ranging from young professionals to retirees, have expressed interest in owning a smaller-footprint home for personal and financial reasons.
Why are we as a society not building Small-Footprint Homes already?
Local zoning in many instances restricts this type of product from being built. That’s why another important piece of this project involves encouraging cities and townships to reconsider policy barriers.
Isn’t Ottawa County facing groundwater challenges? Won’t more housing exacerbate the problem?
Not necessarily. It will likely be more cost-effective to build these homes near existing municipal water infrastructure. If they are built in rural areas where well water is required, water-conserving solutions will be encouraged.
Will smaller homes bring down my property values?
The common misconception is that smaller homes are solely for low, or very low, income residents which in turn could negatively impact property values. This project is not specifically about providing housing for low income and/or homeless individuals. It is more about providing attainable housing options for our workforce and aging population.
Will smaller homes stand out or disrupt the community character of a neighborhood?
No. These Small-Footprint Homes will be high quality-built homes with architectural styles similar to traditional homes. They are specifically designed to preserve the character of existing and surrounding neighborhood homes.
Have more questions about the project? Email plan@miottawa.org, or call 616.738.4852.
Small-Footprint Homes Project Partners
The Small-Footprint Homes Development Concept Pilot Project could not have investigated this local housing solution and developed these open-source home plans without the help of the following individuals and organizations:
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Aaron Beuche | Pella Windows |
| Ben Datema | First Class Concrete Construction |
| Bruce Thompson | Urbaneer Living |
| Chris Crothers | Community Volunteer |
| Chris Wilson | CB Wilson Construction |
| Chuck Posthumus | Posthumus Architects |
| Corey Westra | Westra Roofing LLC |
| Doug Zylstra | Housing Advisory Board member |
| Holly Cole | Former Housing Advisory Board member |
| Jacob Lemoine | Lemoine Enterprises |
| Jared Schuitema | Housing Advisory Board member |
| Jeff Christians | Hope College |
| Jeff Hainer | JTB Homes |
| Jeff McGruder | MI Heating and Cooling |
| Joe Pierce | DSI Staff |
| Katie Crothers | KCI Interiors |
| Ken Brune | Housing Advisory Board member |
| Kevin Mulder | Mulder Electric |
| Klynt Marcusse | Housing Advisory Board member |
| Kylie Vosburg | Former DSI Staff |
| Matt Daub | DSI Staff |
| Nick Rolinski | Architectural Designer |
| Pam VanderMolen | DSI Staff |
| Pat Harmon | Housing Advisory Board member |
| Paul Sachs | DSI Staff |
| Rich C. Lakeberg | DSI Staff |
| Scott Corbat | Grand Haven Building Department |