Our Organization
Starter Home Initiative is being built around a simple goal: create attainable homeownership opportunities while protecting the long-term purpose, character and sustainability of the community.
Homes, Land and Community Working Together
The vision behind Starter Home Initiative goes beyond simply building smaller houses. Our goal is to create a structure that helps keep homeownership more attainable while also caring for the land, shared amenities and long-term health of the community.
The Orchard Shire is our first community concept, but the organization is intended to create a model that can grow into future communities while preserving the same values of affordability, sustainability and connection.
A Different Approach to Homeownership
The Organization Holds the Land
Under the proposed model, Starter Home Initiative would acquire and retain ownership of the underlying land so the property can remain dedicated to the long-term mission of attainable housing and sustainable community development.
Residents Own Their Homes
Homeowners would purchase and own their individual cottage homes, giving residents the stability and pride of homeownership while separating the cost of the home from the cost of purchasing the underlying land.
Shared Spaces Stay Shared
Community gardens, green space, walking paths and shared gathering areas would remain part of the larger community rather than being divided into individual private yards.
Long-Term Purpose Matters
The goal is to create a structure that protects the original purpose of the community so future generations can continue to benefit from attainable homeownership opportunities.
Keeping the Land for the Community
Land is one of the largest costs associated with homeownership. By creating a model in which the nonprofit organization retains the land, the initial cost of purchasing a cottage may be reduced because the homeowner is purchasing the home rather than the home and underlying land together.
This approach is intended to create a more attainable pathway into homeownership while allowing the organization to protect the land for the long-term mission of the community.
The Goal
Homeownership should create stability and opportunity without requiring a household to devote most of its income to housing. The purpose is not simply to help someone buy a home. It is to help make homeownership livable.
Shared Spaces Without Shared Burdens
A beautiful community requires ongoing care. Our goal is not to create shared spaces and then leave residents responsible for maintaining them simply because they live there.
A future homeowners association or similar community structure would be established based on the needs and operating costs of the completed community. Those fees would help support professional maintenance of shared landscaping, gardens, paths, gathering spaces and other common areas.
Grounds & Landscaping
Shared landscaping and common areas can be professionally maintained so the appearance of the community does not depend on one resident doing more than another.
Shared Amenities
Community fees may help support maintenance and operating needs for shared spaces such as paths, gardens, gathering areas and other common amenities.
Fair Responsibility
The goal is to share the cost of caring for the community fairly rather than allowing maintenance responsibilities to become a burden on individual residents.
Participation Without Obligation
The community garden is intended to be a place where residents can learn, participate and enjoy growing food together without making gardening another required household chore.
Organized gardening days, workshops and seasonal events can give residents opportunities to learn from one another, share responsibilities and take pride in the food grown within their community.
Some residents may love gardening and participate often. Others may participate occasionally or simply enjoy the benefits of living around productive green space. The goal is connection, not obligation.
A Vision Like This Takes More Than Land and Homes
Starter Home Initiative is in its early development stage, and bringing the first Orchard Shire community to life will require people and organizations who believe in creating more attainable, sustainable and connected communities.
Founding Board Members
We are seeking individuals who believe in the mission and can bring experience, perspective and thoughtful leadership as the organization continues to develop.
Funding & Investment Partners
Philanthropic support, grants, donations, mission-aligned investment and creative financing partnerships can help support land acquisition, infrastructure and development.
Land & Development Partners
Landowners, builders, architects, engineers, contractors and developers may be able to contribute land, expertise, reduced-cost services or innovative development solutions.
Community & Sustainability Partners
Gardening organizations, sustainability groups, educators and community partners can help build programs and resources that strengthen the community long after the homes are built.
Help Us Build the First Orchard Shire
You do not have to build the entire community to help build the community. Someone may bring funding. Someone may bring land. Someone may bring professional expertise, community connections or simply a belief in what this model could become.
JOIN OUR BOARDPeople. Land. Opportunity. Together.