The Microhousing Index is an homage to Harper’s Index which for years has told an often satirical story using only data points. The story the numbers tell is clear: the proposed changes in Councilmember O’Brien’s legislation will mean fewer (if any) microhousing options that will be more expensive. Tell the City Council (e-mail Councilmember Mike Obrien here) to keep microhousing an option for those that want it.

HUD maximum housing price for person earning 60 Percent of Area median income renting a studio apartment: $927[1]
Typical monthly microhousing rent (including utilities): $850[2]
Typical micro vacancy rate: 0[3]
Councilmember Mike O’Brien’s proposed micro minimum: 220 net square feet (NSF)
Estimated price of microhousing with new minimum: $1,250[4]
Number of projects completed or in process: 68[5]
Total people housed when completed: 3,609[6]
Number of units had O’Brien’s minimum been in effect: 2,400[7]
Number of buildings in low-rise zones: 44[8]
Number of buildings in mid-rise zones: 10[9]
Number of buildings in NC, C, and DMC zones: 14[10]
Number of buildings in single-family zones: 0[11]
Percentage of residents that own cars: 25[12]
Estimated number of cars owned by microdwellers: 902[13]
New parking spots required in new proposal: 1,804[14]
Estimated cost to build underground parking spot: $40,000[15]
Additional revenue needed per month, per spot, to cover parking costs: $321[16]
Typical number of sinks in a microhousing unit: 1
Number of additional sinks if Councilmember Rasmussen’s sink requirement was in effect: 3,609[17]
Total estimated cost of one additional sink fixture for all microhousing: $644,892.21[18]