I'm also shocked at the per unit TDC. Could ylthat be for micro-units, ADUs, or SROs ( although in MA, even those are more!)? Whatever, I love what you're doing for a year and can't wait to learn more about it!
Interesting deep dive into the numbers. I’m shocked at how low the per unit PSH development cost is in Seattle. I’m in Pasadena, California, and we (I work for the city) just committed funding to a project that has an $800k/unit cost. I think in LA County we’ll likely see some projects hit $1M/unit within the year. Our system, like so many, is broken. All that being said, we can’t conflate the development costs with the cost to end a household’s homelessness. Units house many households over time, and unit development is just one piece of housing people. No matter how you slice it, it is cheaper (and more humane, less traumatic, better for everyone…) to prevent homelessness than to house someone who has fallen into homelessness.
Thanks Jenni, two great points. I think the Third Door analysis may just be a proposal/vision at this point, relying on cost-saving ideas like modular construction: not sure if they've actually built any. I will reach out to find out and also do some research on historical PSH construction costs in Seattle, and report back. If the actual (politically feasible) cost is $800K+ it obviously makes the comparison between diversion and PSH so much more stark. Also totally agree, housing units can host more than one family over time, so shouldn't have made the direct comparison there.
I'm also shocked at the per unit TDC. Could ylthat be for micro-units, ADUs, or SROs ( although in MA, even those are more!)? Whatever, I love what you're doing for a year and can't wait to learn more about it!
Interesting deep dive into the numbers. I’m shocked at how low the per unit PSH development cost is in Seattle. I’m in Pasadena, California, and we (I work for the city) just committed funding to a project that has an $800k/unit cost. I think in LA County we’ll likely see some projects hit $1M/unit within the year. Our system, like so many, is broken. All that being said, we can’t conflate the development costs with the cost to end a household’s homelessness. Units house many households over time, and unit development is just one piece of housing people. No matter how you slice it, it is cheaper (and more humane, less traumatic, better for everyone…) to prevent homelessness than to house someone who has fallen into homelessness.
Thanks Jenni, two great points. I think the Third Door analysis may just be a proposal/vision at this point, relying on cost-saving ideas like modular construction: not sure if they've actually built any. I will reach out to find out and also do some research on historical PSH construction costs in Seattle, and report back. If the actual (politically feasible) cost is $800K+ it obviously makes the comparison between diversion and PSH so much more stark. Also totally agree, housing units can host more than one family over time, so shouldn't have made the direct comparison there.