The Affordability Gap -
Why Should I Care?
Last time, I talked about what the affordability gap is: that painful space where people earn too much to qualify for help, but not enough to afford market-rate housing. Now I want to talk about why it matters — and what Little Haven is doing about it.
Redefining Affordability
For decades, policymakers have told us housing is “affordable” if it costs no more than 30% of your gross income. But gross income isn’t what pays the bills. By the time taxes eat 25–30%, that “affordable” number balloons to 40–50% of your actual paycheck.
And here’s the truth: the 30% rule was written in a world that no longer exists. Back then, wages kept up with costs, one income often supported a household, and people worked close to home. Today, healthcare eats a fortune, childcare rivals a mortgage, and transportation costs are sky-high thanks to long commutes and outrageous gas prices. Add groceries to that list — and even if you’re disciplined enough to cook every meal at home, you still feel the pinch.
When housing swallows 30–40% of your income on paper, the reality is even worse — because what’s left can’t cover life.
I want to be transparent: in today’s economy, it will be nearly impossible to always hit a perfect price point that matches every household’s reality. Construction costs, materials, and land aren’t under my control. But what is under my control is how relentlessly we push for smarter, smaller, more innovative solutions that keep driving costs down and access up. That’s the fight Little Haven is built for.
Building Smaller, Smarter
By focusing on smaller homes with thoughtful design, we reduce land and material costs without sacrificing livability. But this isn’t a new idea — it’s a return to how housing was once viewed. A century ago, families of three, four, or even six kids were raised in homes of 700–900 square feet. Houses weren’t built to be status symbols; they were built to be functional, durable, and lived in.
Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that everyone needs thousands of square feet just to get by. The result? Higher costs, bigger mortgages, and more isolation as families spread out within their walls. At Little Haven, we believe smaller spaces — designed well — can not only make housing attainable again, but also bring back the closeness that families once shared.
Accessibility at No Extra Cost
Too often, accessibility is treated like an “upgrade” — something you have to pay extra for, like granite countertops or a fancy appliance package. That’s backwards. Accessibility is a right, not a luxury add-on.
At Little Haven, if you need modifications, you get them — without a higher price tag. That means someone using a wheelchair isn’t punished with extra costs, and an aging adult doesn’t have to choose between safety and affordability. Everyone deserves a home that actually works for them, and we’re proving it can be done without inflating the price.
Pocket Neighborhoods
I don’t believe affordability has to mean isolation. The old model says: bigger lot, bigger house, higher cost. But what if we flip that? At Little Haven, we use the pocket neighborhood model — smaller homes gathered around shared green space, gardens, or paths. It means less wasted land, lower infrastructure costs, and layouts that make daily life more accessible. And yes, it also means more chances to bump into your neighbor instead of hiding behind fences. For me, that’s affordability with connection built in.
Removing Stigma
Say “affordable housing” and a lot of people instantly picture something run-down, depressing, or “for someone else.” That stigma is part of the problem. At Little Haven, we refuse to build homes anyone would feel second-class living in. Our houses are small, but they’re beautiful, functional, and designed with pride. Because dignity is part of affordability too — and no one should ever feel ashamed of the keys in their hand.
Partnerships with Purpose
I can’t fix housing alone — and I wouldn’t want to. Little Haven is about proving what’s possible, but we work with anyone who shares that vision: cities who release land for real community use, land banks who care about more than flipping property, funders who understand that impact matters as much as returns. Partnerships aren’t about prestige here. They’re about keeping costs low and possibilities high.
Ownership & Stability
Homeownership isn’t just about getting the keys — it’s about keeping them. Through covenants and affordability protections, we ensure our homes stay affordable for generations while still letting owners build equity. That’s how stability takes root.
The affordability gap doesn’t have to be permanent. When we build differently — smaller, smarter, and with dignity — we don’t just close the gap. We break barriers that created it in the first place.
The housing system is broken, and everyone knows it. It’s time to stop pretending the old way still works. The question now is whether we have the courage to build something better — not for the few, but for everyone.
