Small is the new big on San Antonio's South Side, where mini abodes are set to take center stage. In a recent move, the Zoning Commission greenlit a 79-unit tiny home project, envisioned to pop up near Palo Alto College. This development, comprising both one and two-story homes, is making waves as an affordable housing alternative. Details from KSAT suggest that the property at West Villaret and Malley Blvd is currently valued at $329,360.
But it's not just about the price. These humble dwellings, some as snug as 600 square feet, are packaged with a park, a dog park, and a pavilion to sweeten the deal. With 47 one-story homes at 800 square feet, 12 at 600, and 20 two-story units at 1000 square feet, each featuring a two-car garage, space is optimized for modern, smaller-scale living. Disruptive Enterprises LLC is leading the charge on this innovative housing solution, while the prodigious homebuilder Lennar also dips its toes into the tiny home trend.
Meanwhile, Austin's Casata is eyeing the Alamo City for a 200-unit community geared towards those with a penchant for condensed living. These rental properties, swinging between 400 and 800 square feet, are for the experience-driven renters. According to a Business Journal report, Casata's COO Zain Mahmood explained, "We like cities where jobs are being created." And it's not just San Antonio in their sights, this pint-sized powerhouse has visions of expansion across Texas and beyond.
The tactful rollout of Casata's pilot project in Austin proved a hit, with a staggering 82% of units leased before construction wrapped up. This success story paints a promising future for their San Antonio venture. Despite a higher rental rate in Austin, Casata's snug spaces rent for between $1,400 and $1,900 a month, aligning with the city's typical rent spectrum. As Mahmood pointed out, "Our goal is to be competitive with local rent structure.", as stated in Business Journal.
Sprouting tiny home communities signal a shift in San Antonio's housing landscape. And while not suitable for every family size, they're cornering a market craving affordability and simplicity. This strategy, as supported by both zoning decisions and market demand, heralds a burgeoning interest in micro living, and could, as Mahmood forecasts, claim "5% of the national rental market at a minimum." Time will tell whether these diminutive domiciles will have a substantial impact on the housing market or remain a niche novelty.
