2021 Small Home Hero Award Winners

We are pleased to present the 2021 Small Home Hero Award to Dorrie Brooks of Jones Whitsett Architects and Evan Ross of Amherst!

Dorrie Brooks of Jones Whitsett Architects has been promoting smaller and more affordable green homes for many years. She submitted work for the City of Northampton's Just Big Enough and Small Lots | Big Ideas design competitions, and designed Pioneer Valley Habitat’s pilot “Big Enough” home in Northampton, which was a winner in the sustainability category at the 2020 Habitat for Humanity International home design competition. Her more recent work for the city of Northampton on the feasibility of studio apartments for the lowest end of the market is just one more example of her commitment to the building small ideal.

Evan Ross, former Amherst town councilor from 2018-2022, is a tireless advocate of small lot zoning reform and affordable development. His work on the town council, including his “First Steps” Housing Plan, focused on small lot zoning and multi-family development, both of which enable the creation of more affordable housing in the area. He also worked on the development of the Town Council’s Comprehensive Housing Policy, which establishes goals around housing and outlines potential strategies to achieve those goals. Evan's policy work exemplifies the kind of behind-the-scenes work necessary to make small, affordable housing possible.

Check out the virtual award presentation video below:

 

2020 Small Home Hero Award Winner

We are pleased to present the 2020 Small Home Hero Award to Backyard ADUs of Western Massachusetts! Backyard ADUs has also been successful during the challenges of 2020 by advocating for long-term changes to zoning, putting downward pressure on the cost of quality housing, and simplifying new home construction so it’s accessible to everyone. Bringing innovative, durable, and naturally affordable housing to the broader market cannot be done by one person or organization alone, and the advisory committee believes that Backyard ADUs exemplifies the kind of change the Big Enough Project has hoped to inspire. Check out the virtual award presentation video below:

2019 Small Home Hero Award Winners

Habitat is pleased to announce the winners of our 2019 Small Home Hero Award! For their efforts to increase access to home ownership through policy advocacy, building, financing, design and zoning of affordable small homes, our winners are:

The City of Northampton

The City of Northampton

The City of Northampton: The City of Northampton has demonstrated a long-term commitment to building small, energy-efficient, and affordable homes. Through their "Just Big Enough" design competition, they encouraged architects to think big to build small homes suitable for multiple family sizes that would encourage sustainable development by building in existing neighborhoods, close to public transit or walking destinations. The City has partnered with and supported Habitat on multiple occasions to improve small lot zoning, develop desirable homes at the edges of preserved natural areas, and envision a more sustainable and equitable future for housing in the Valley.

Janet Obermann, Greenfield resident

Janet Obermann, Greenfield resident: Janet dreamed big when envisioning a home in which she could retire and age in place, and that meant thinking small and doing it herself. Using a prefabricated shell from Unity Homes, she was able to create a small home that's just big enough for her. Working with family and friends saved her labor costs, and building out the home's interior with recycled and found materials saved her money on construction. Janet hopes more women and retirees will see the benefits of designing and building their own homes. For her commitment to sustainable and innovative living, PVHH recognized Janet with a 2019 Small Home Hero Award.