Exciting Changes in DeKalb County: Smaller Homes on the Horizon!

Exciting Changes in DeKalb County: Smaller Homes on the Horizon!

Hey there, DeKalb County residents! If you’ve been dreaming of a cozy, less bulky home, we have some fantastic news for you. The DeKalb County Planning Commission just took a significant step towards making smaller, single-family houses a reality. During a lively meeting on Thursday night, the commission gave a big thumbs up by unanimously approving a proposal to lower square footage minimum requirements for new detached homes.

What’s the Big Deal?

So, what does this mean for homeowners and homebuilders alike? Well, the new ordinance is all about making it easier for folks to buy or build smaller homes. The minimum size for new houses in two residential zoning districts will drop from 1,600 and 1,800 square feet to a more manageable 1,200 square feet. This change is aimed at reflecting the county’s shifting demographics, particularly the decreasing size of households.

According to data from the U.S. Census, households with just one or two people have actually grown since 2020. In contrast, larger families with three or more folks have seen a decline. This shift means that the need for smaller homes is more important than ever! Andy Schneggenburger, who serves as a policy advisor in the county, highlighted that the new rules would cater to various groups in the county, especially older residents wanting to downsize and those who find mobility challenging.

Building Homes for Everyone!

Schneggenburger didn’t hold back when speaking at the meeting, mentioning that “there’s very few options…available for these kinds of households.” Building smaller homes not only provides more choices for people looking to buy but also eases the burden on homebuilders. With soaring material and labor costs, reducing the square footage requirements could lower building expenses significantly.

In fact, the proposed changes could mean a price reduction of at least $40,000 to $80,000 for new homes, making it much easier for prospective buyers to find something within their budget. The current situation in DeKalb County has seen home prices hovering between $350,000 and $400,000 since early 2020, which is tough to swallow for many, especially given that the median household income was around $76,000 in 2022—hardly enough to comfortably afford a house in that price range with mortgage rates sitting at 6.8%.

Aiming for Greater Affordability

With these new changes in motion, Schneggenburger believes that expanding housing options is crucial in addressing the ongoing affordability crisis in the area. It’s not just policymakers who are excited about this. Devin Vermeulen, the director of design and development for the Atlanta-based MicroLife Institute, also voiced support during the meeting. He pointed out that the current size requirements can be a real barrier to homeownership for people from lower-income backgrounds.

“We’re very much in favor of this,” Vermeulen said. He added that while he’d love to see no minimum housing size requirements at all, this change is a big step in making homeownership more accessible. With smaller homes on the way, a wider array of housing types will soon be available for those yearning for a place to call their own.

The Road Ahead

Of course, there’s still a bit more to go before we see these changes fully come to life! The proposed ordinance now needs the green light from the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. But if all goes as planned, this initiative could usher in a new era of homeownership options in DeKalb County—one where households can find homes that truly meet their needs.

Stay tuned for more updates as we keep you in the loop about the developments in your community! The dream of a cozy, smaller home could be just around the corner!