What is COMMUNITY COTTAGES?
Community Cottages is a program for individual homeowners to participate in a community-wide housing program to add more rental units to our region, providing a solution to our housing challenge at the grass roots level. Homeowners are encouraged to participate by providing space for building additional units adjacent to their homesite.Why COMMUNITY COTTAGES
Are the Key to Smart Managed Growth?
Community Cottages program offers a practical, collaborative approach to the housing challenges we face. While large affordable housing projects play a crucial role, cottages add a simpler, lower-impact solution that works hand-in-hand with bigger developments—without sacrificing the character or beauty of Grants Pass.This region is special. Tucked between mountains with a fantastic climate, our valley has limited buildable land. High-rises and large apartment complexes may help address our housing shortage in large chunks, but they come at the cost of our breathtaking views and peaceful skyline. Community Cottages, on the other hand, fit seamlessly into existing neighborhoods, offering a smaller carbon footprint and a more balanced approach.These cottages aren’t just a smart solution—they’re also an inclusive one. By blending single-unit and small multi-unit homes into older established neighborhoods, we create a community where people from different walks of life can live side by side. Instead of clustering people by income, we foster the real intent behind diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that benefits everyone.We’ve seen what happens when cities rely too heavily on siloed housing projects. Columbia Point in Massachusetts struggled for decades before being revitalized as Harbor Point, where mixed housing styles and socio-economic levels thrived together. We want to apply those lessons here in Grants Pass—creating a respectful mix of homes that are economically affordable, meet the needs of our residents, and that suit our community.Community Cottages program also offer an exciting opportunity for homeowners. By bringing together public and private partners, this program empowers locals to contribute to housing development. Homeowners can create rental units or generate extra income, while also adding long-term value to their property. And even if someone steps away from the program, they’re left with a beautifully enhanced living space—and we all benefit from more rental options in the community.Community Cottages aren’t here to replace larger affordable housing projects, but to complement them. Together, they provide a well-rounded, thoughtful solution to our housing needs—helping us grow sustainably while preserving the charm and character of Grants Pass.What are the anticipated results of the
"Community Cottages"?
A) Awareness and Resources for building Additional Dwelling Units or increasing the density of housing clusters in a pocketneighborhood style.B) Homeowners will engage in the process of helping end the housing shortage of our area with this partnership program.C) Systematically, as we move the program into each area of Grants Pass, homeowners will be directly informed of the energy and climate incentives available through the Energy Trust of Oregon.D) More housing will be made available with direct rental referrals from area agency partners and those going through housing transitions will remain connected through the program network to the supportive services.E) "Community Cottages" program will be available as a model for collaborative building to increase housing density in a respectful and choreographed way within the established single family home neighborhoods of any location.
"Community Cottages" ~ a Good Neighbor Program of
CommonConnections.org
106 NW F Street #378 • Grants Pass, OR 97526
541.215.4415