Our Mission
The housing affordability solution is found in the most simple, and universally accepted economic theory on planet earth: the law of supply and demand. By providing affordable housing “in my back yard”, the price of housing will naturally decline to a stabilized lower price. It is an incontrovertible natural law.
The homeless problem is exacerbated by the un-affordability of housing. This is because housing is primarily developed by capitalists legally obligated to maximize shareholder value. Or, alternatively, housing is developed by government bureaucracies generally lacking efficiency, innovation and risk-taking skills required for successful implementation of a complex community housing venture. So housing remains under-supplied and profitable (i.e., expensive).
We represent a collaboration of experienced community and business leaders committed to developing affordable housing on a socially conscious and ecologically reverent basis with economic sustainability. Operating on a non-profit mission, we do not intend to maximize profit – we intend to minimize it.
First, we eliminate the cost of land by installing an IMBY studio in an existing home-owner’s back yard (this is what propelled the solar industry). Second, we minimize the size of the housing (right from the tiny house movement playbook). And third, we eliminate risk by engaging only highly experienced professionals.
We are not some liberals perusing an alternative philosophy; we are demonstrating the collaborative capitalism is both socially responsible and economically viable. It is common sense in a conscious world.
The Problem: Housing Deficiency
350,000 homeless in California. 3,500 homeless in Sonoma County. 250 homeless at Joe Rodota Trail. And we live in the richest country in the world.
The IMBY modular is a self contained studio living unit with a bathroom and kitchenette, which is designed to comply with “Additional Dwelling Unit” zoning codes. Accordingly, a unit can be legally permitted in the backyard of almost any backyard of a homeowner. Exteriors can be designed in any architectural style.
IMBY modulars provide a viable long-term solution because the construction has a one hundred year life and the modular units are designed with adaptability to be physically moved from a temporary location to a later identified permanent location. The capital investment is not wasted as a short term solution with a depreciating asset.
The backyard sponsor program is the big innovative idea. It reconnects the unhoused family back into their community with dignity. We currently have about 3,500 homeless people in Sonoma County, and an estimated 1/4 are simply needing financial assistance and the stability of a home to regain their financial and emotional footing.
Generally, opponents of homeless relocation sites have only a small personal benefit of a facility in their own neighborhood, yet they bear most of the risks associated with homelessness in their neighborhood without any personal control.
With the IMBY modular program we can change that. We can give a homeowner a way to “help” with some personal economic benefit along with some personal control of those risks.
Under our program, the city or county provides a homeowner with an IMBY studio unit with a small bathroom and kitchenette and pays that homeowner to provide shelter to an unhoused family. The homeowner gets to personally evaluate, select and control the continued occupancy of that individual or family. In other words, a homeowner can pick someone who is NOT on drugs, is NOT mentally unstable, and is NOT a threat to their own family or community. They are simply on the road to rehabilitation.
A homeowner commits to a two year program and receives $750 per month. They can do well by doing good. If a homeowner is willing to purchase the unit for $50,000 (from the county or directly from IMBY), the rent will yield 18% on their investment. Even better, the city or county could administer the financing of that purchase (similar to PACE solar financing) and allow the homeowner to take ownership without a capital investment. Just an approximate $250 monthly payment. And later use the unit for their own purposes.
