# Odd Lot Housing Programs This Experiment Turns Under-Developed Areas Into Entry-Level Homes By Alyson Wyers | Published 2016-01-22 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entrylevel-homes References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/3055568/a-bold-experiment-in-building-homes-the-middle-class-can-afford?partner=rss) & [officejt](http://officejt.com/starter-home) This program turns [vacant and oddly sized lots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/octa-house) into entry-level homes. From the Office of Jonathan Tate, the Starter Home* project creates affordable housing and offers the middle class new opportunities in homeownership. Currently homeownership in the lowest its been in 48 years at just 63.5%. Based in New Orleans, the firm designs contemporary entry-level homes that will bring new consumers to the housing market as well as boosting the economy. The experiment researched a number of urban areas and their particular issues in "domestic inhabitation." From [Atlanta alleyways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brown-house-1) to city-owned lots in Boston, there are a number of under-utilized options for developers to consider. Odd lot types in New Orleans provide a significant underdeveloped area worth re-purposing. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.0/10 - Popularity: 89% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Home](https://www.trendhunter.com/home) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Odd-lot Housing:** Developing entry-level homes on vacant or under-utilized lots to provide affordable housing and boost the economy. - **Contemporary Entry-level Home Design:** Designing modern and affordable starter homes to bring new consumers to the housing market. - **Revitalizing Under-developed Areas:** Turning under-utilized urban areas into affordable housing to provide opportunities for middle-class homeownership. ### Where This Applies - **Real Estate Development:** Developers can leverage odd-lot housing programs to create new, affordable housing options and boost the overall economy. - **Architecture and Design:** Design firms specializing in entry-level homes can capitalize on the trend of contemporary, affordable starter homes. - **Urban Planning and Development:** Urban planners can support odd-lot housing programs to revitalize under-developed areas and provide more affordable housing options for middle-class families. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Affordable Tiny Home Communities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oshawa-micro-housing-pilot.md) - [Compact 3d-Printed Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-house-lux.md) - [Affordable Housing Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-house-1.md) - [Housing Collective Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-comunidad-habitacional.md) - [LA Affordable Housing Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/isla-intersections.md) - [Art Deco Affordable Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-brea-affordable-housing.md) - [Reimagined Slim Living Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slim-fit.md) - [Unconventional Chinese Housing Estates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/longnan-garden.md) - [Affordable Social Housing Campuses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-atrium-at-sumner-houses.md)