FW: How Small Is Too Small for an Apartment?

[David Neiman]

Friends and Colleagues,

 

For years now I’ve been designing and developing and writing about micro-housing. It’s been a tough slog on the policy side of things, but I believe the momentum may finally be moving in the right direction. Neiman Taber is helping with proposed legislation that would change the Washington State Building Code to allow for smaller studio apartments statewide. To aid in this effort, we put together this article with the wizards at Sightline to help politicians and policy makers as they wrestle with the questions of “how small is too small”, where to look for guidance, and how to develop appropriate regulations for micro-housing. Read it here.

 

-David Neiman

 

 

View this email in your browser   This week's original research and news picks from Sightline Institute.     Photo Credit: Ryan Slimak, Clarity NW Photography.   Micro-housing: It's not about the size but how you use it   A lot of people question the livability of micro-apartments. But well-designed small spaces that prioritize health and safety standards over arbitrary size mandates can deliver plentiful, high-quality, and more affordable options in popular, amenity-rich neighborhoods, all while promoting community among residents. That's exactly what guest author and architect David Neiman has found. For years, he has built just such kinds of homes, and he's used to people's initial skepticism about micro-housing. In his latest article for Sightline, though, he not only shares a bevy of beautiful designs; he also points to the research that backs up their livability and value.   View David's designs and research     Related:   ·         When is Seattle going to fix micro-housing? ·         Rooming houses: History's affordable quarters ·         In rentals, we ban Payless and mandate Nordstrom       Podcast: Democracy vouchers, with Lawrence Lessig   The city of Seattle has a powerful antidote to the challenge of Big Money dominating our elections: democracy vouchers—an idea that Sightline Institute researched and helped to pass back in 2015. Sightline founder and executive director Alan Durning joined leading democracy reform scholar Lawrence Lessig on his podcast, Another Way, to tell the story of that effort and how the reform has delivered in the years since.   Listen to their discussion The week's top Cascadia sustainability headlines Even modest reductions in parking can reduce your rent — Streetsblog     We could be nearing peak fossil fuel demand — The New York Times A Tribe's last, best hope — The Seattle Times     The billion-dollar plan to save salmon involves a vacuum — Propublica WA's prisons pushed to the brink by climate crisis — High Country News     Are four-plexes real? — Publicola Note: Many of the stories we select come from news outlets that require a subscription. Please consider supporting your local and/or favorite publications for full access to their stories. Sightline's own original articles are free to access at all times, thanks to generous donors who support our work.     Brought to you by Sightline Institute · 1402 3rd Ave Ste 500 · Seattle, WA 98101-2130 · USA. Sightline is a nonprofit, 501(c)3, working to build a sustainable Northwest—a place with strong communities, a green economy, and a healthy environment. Sightline Institute is non-partisan and does not oppose, support, or endorse any political candidate or party. Add edi...@sightline.org to your address book to ensure our emails reach you. Want to change how you receive these emails? Click here to Update your newsletter choices and preferences Or permanently Unsubscribe from ALL Sightline newsletters