While many affordable housing initiatives help provide shelter for homeless individuals, some of these projects are also targeted at consumers who simply can't afford conventional housing. With a greater number of people moving to cities each year, urban housing often comes at a premium. For those who have little or no income, affordable housing initiatives help provide a comfortable living space.
For many homeless and low-income individuals, a stable living situation is a primary concern. Many of these social housing initiatives seek to provide not only shelter, but also supportive services that may help these individuals overcome homelessness. Some of the most innovative homeless housing solutions include micro housing communities, pre-fabricated abodes and even converted shipping container homes.
Other affordable housing initiatives are targeted at those who may not be homeless, but are unable to avoid the sky-high costs of urban living. For those on a tight budget, there are a number of innovative housing options that utilize eco-friendly building materials and unorthodox architecture. Some of these affordable housing options include sustainable bamboo homes, seamless green skyscrapers and even boat residences.
53 Affordable Housing Initiatives
From Repurposed Shipping Shelters to Seamless Green Skyscrapers:
Katherine Pendrill — Jul 14, 2015 — Eco
53
Portable Prefabricated Rooms
Expand Your Home Space with Inoutside's Prefabricated Buildings
52
Compact Sustainable Houses
The Smart Student Unit is an Inexpensive Option
51
Revolutionary Micro-Home Initiatives
The Miniature Housing Project of Portland is Making Waves
50
Cardboard Homeless Shelters
Urbankit is a Low-Cost Refuge to Remedy Immediate Needs of the Needy
49
Homeless Microhouse Communities
This Project Provides Sustainable Tiny Housing for the Homeless
48
Transportable Homeless Shelters
The Urban Rough Sleeper Backpack Helps Support the Homeless
47
Eco-Friendly Portuguese Homes
Miramar House is Located in a Picturesque Portuguese Town
46
Affordable Tiny Homes
This Well-Designed Tiny Home is Located In Vancouver
45
Affordable Prefabricated Homes
The S-House Could Represent Suitable Housing For Vietnam's Poor
44
Brutalist Sci-Fi Houses
The Star Wars Home by Moon Hoon is Inspired by a Childhood Dream
43
Inexpensive Bamboo Homes
The Framework House is Targeted Towards Low-Income Cambodians
42
Low-Budget Housing Projects
This Vietnamese Housing Project Addresses an Urgent Issue
41
Boxed Timber Architecture
The Casa GG Takes Minimalism to a Whole New Level
40
Solar-Powered Tiny Homes
This Tiny Home Was Designed By Californian High School Students
39
Inexpensive Disaster-Proof Homes
Sustainable.TO's Hurricane-Proof Design is a Competition Winner
38
Affordable Shipping Container Abodes
The Alexander Street Project Gives People in Need Nice Homes
37
Stripped-Down Houses
The Maison D is a Utilitarian and Affordable Family Home
36
Inexpensive Customizable Cabins
This A-Frame Cabin Enables Consumers to Build It as They Please
35
Upcycled Construction Trailer Dwellings
This Construction Trailer Got Made into a Small Residence
34
Charitable Housing Designs
Casa Uno by Hans Mayr Helps Homeless Mexican Families Find Shelter
33
Mass Produced Retreats (UPDATE)
The 'Lou' is the Latest Addition to the Hermit Houses
32
Recycled Mobile Homeless Shelters
The Homelessness Project Uses Discarded Items to Provide Housing
31
Carbon Positive Houses
This Prefab Home Only Uses a Tiny Fraction of the Energy It Generates
30
Socially-Conscious Mexican Residences
The Casa Caja House by S-AR Empowers Local Labourers
29
House-Converted Billboards
DesignDevelop Turns Ads into Shelters for the Homeless
28
Affordable Timber Residences
This Low-Cost Home is the First of Its Kind in Copenhagen
27
Stacked Cube Skyscrapers
This Sustainable Skyscraper Houses a Flexible Mixed-Use Interior
26
3D-Printed Houses
This 3D Printer Can Build Ten Houses in a Day Using Recycled Materials
25
Bamboo Homeless Shelters
These Bamboo Structures Could Provide Housing for Asia's Homeless
24
Homeless-Helping Micro-Homes (UPDATE)
These Miniature Homes Provide Housing for the Homeless
23
Homeless Housing Solutions
Utah's Housing Works Program is Set to End Homelessness This Year
22
Irregular Cubic Homes
This Prefabricated House is Low on Cost and High on Space
21
Inflatable Heat-Sharing Shelters
The paraSITE Shelter Turns Excess Heat into Comfortable Living
20
Mobile Homeless Shelters
The State of Hawaii is Turning Retired City Buses into Working Shelters
19
Compact Glazed Abodes
The Family House Features a Gable Wall
18
Vertical Tent Pods
A-KAMP47 by Malka Architecture Provides Shelter for the Homeless
17
Multipurpose Container Buildings
Tomokazu Hayakawa Architects Expands on a Shipping Container
16
Housing Revolution Enterprises
Seruna Future is a Community Interest Company Based in London
15
Portable Winter Shelters
This Sleeping Bag Converts into a Tent on the Go
14
Geometric Igloo Abodes
Marcello’s House by Ctrl+Z and NoSoloPaja Displays a Whimsical Design
13
Affordable Capsule Hotels
The EauBerge Paris Capsule Hotel Will Be Located On The Seine River Bank
12
Repurposed Shipping Shelters
This Homeless Housing Solution Recycles Used Shipping Containers
11
Paper Log Abodes
Shigeru Ban Constructs Temporary Shelters to Help the Philippines
10
Crowded Shelter Solutions
James Christian's Disruptive Designs Address London's Housing Crisis
9
Innovation-Focused Districts
The Miami Innovation District Will Foster Creative Tech Ideas
8
Elderly Homesharing Services
This Service Enables Homesharing for Seniors Currently Living Alone
7
Understated Plywood Residences
The Brick House by Leth and Gori Embraces Modernist Design Details
6
Plastic Crate Shelters
These Shelters are Made with Easily Accessible Materials
5
Undulating Semicircle Architecture
La Tour Tower by 3XN Has a Flowing Design
4
Reimagined Boat Residences
The Guest Harbor Project Envisions Boats as Side Houses
3
Sociable Apartment Complexes
This Affordable Apartment Building Incorporates Color and Playfulness
2
Seamless Green Skyscrapers
SCDA Architecture Creates the 'Skyterrace@Dawson'
1
Trailblazing Swedish Skyscrapers
'Pole Star' Will Be the Tallest Building in Scandinavia
Related Ideas
Expandable-Roof Tiny Homes
This Unique Tiny House Benefits From a Mechanically Liftable Roof
Japanese-Inspired Portable Tiny Homes
Baluchon Designs the Portable Bonzai Tiny Home
Futuristic Capsule House Concepts
The ONCO Capsule House Concept is Sleek and Minimal
Trauma-Informed Interior Designs
IKEA Introduces Trauma-Informed Tiny House for Seniors
Nest-Inspired Urban Houses
This Vietnamese Dwelling Offers Respite From the Concrete Jungle
Pink-Hued Shipping Container Homes
These Pink Shipping Container Homes by Ishita Ganguly are Chic
Experimental Low-Carbon Housing
Velux & EFFEKT Debut Is Low-Carbon Housing Designs in Copenhagen
Cat-Centric Compact Homes
This Japanese Dwelling Embraces Feline-Friendly Design Choices
Spaciously Cozy Homes
This Off-Grid Tiny Home Offers Efficiently Laid-Out Floorspace
Shipping Container Tiny Homes
UnContained Dreams Designs the Rising Sun Tiny Home
National Park-Inspired Tiny Homes
The Backcountry Tiny Homes 'Basecamp' Tiny House Has a Roof Deck
Origami-Inspired Sleek Cabins
A.L.P.S. Designs the Infinity Mobile Architecture System
High-Quality Electric Micro Homes
The Cosmic ONE Gets New Upgrades with Premium Components
Energy-Efficient 3D-Printed Homes
Haus.me Introduces Premium Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Garden-Centering Urban Townhouses
This Vietnamese Home's Layout is Arranged Around an Inner Garden
Urban Bottle Sustainable Initiatives
Heineken Presents Fields Green With Grass, Not Glass
Compact Humble Economical Homes
Häuslein Tiny House Co. Designs the Chipper Tiny Home
Affordable 3D-Printed Houses
Serendix's Fujitsubo is Remarkable in the Realm of Affordable Housing
Prefabricated Miniature Home Concepts
i29 Creates the Câpsula Concept for Dutch Design Week
Separate Dwelling Tiny Houses
The Elba_91 Tiny House Has Two Living Spaces to Maximize Usage
Digital Sustainable Food Solutions
Special Projects Debuts Eco Lenses to Help with Decision-Making
Eco-Friendly Offices
Office@27 by Sanjay Puri Architects is Enhanced by Ancient Indian Principles
Shutter-Accented Tiny Homes
The houzEKO Tiny House Offers All-Season Efficiency and Privacy
Extreme Space-Saving Architecture
A 74-Square-Foot Apartment is Redefining Urban Living
Versatile Interior Compact Homes
The Elevate Tiny Home Transforms the Interiors with a Button
Contemporary Sustainable Tiny Homes
The Cosmic ONE is Offered in Three Compact Home Layouts
Futuristic Auto Micro Factories
Most Architecture Unveils a Modern Factory for Charge Cars
Minimal Mid-Century Hollywood Homes
Studio Qasabian Designs the Mulholland Home in LA
Flexible Pre-Fabricated Homes
Rabih Hage Introduces His Latest Design — Muudo
Tranquil Elevated Tiny Homes
Jan Tyrpekl Designs the Cozy Zen House in Austria
Energy-Efficient Prefabricated Homes
The 'SON.DER' Home Offers Environmentally Responsible Living
Atmospheric Water Solutions
Aquaria Aims to Revolutionize Water Infrastructure
Minimalist Adventurer Tiny Homes
The Noyer Tiny House On Wheels Prioritizes Sustainability
Sustainable Smart Cottages
The LG Smart Cottage is a Compact Prefab with Cutting-Edge Tech
Eco-Friendly Bio-Composite Roof Tiles
Studio SKLIM's Lo-Hi Tech Project with Solar Paneling
Upgraded Off-Grid Tiny Homes
Minimaliste Designs the Nomad 30 Small Home with Improved Interior
Japanese Inn-Inspired Apartments
Intheory Design Creates an Apartment Inspired by Ryokan
Modern Amenity Micro Dwellings
The Little Tahoma Peak Tiny Home Has House-Inspired Finishings
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Hempcrete-Accented Patchwork Facades
Cathie Curran Designs the Hempcrete Mewshouse
Ultra-Compact Bungalow Designs
Satish Jassal Architects Completes the Haringey Brick Bungalow
Compact Affordable Portable Homes
Stanley Tiny Homes Creates the Rogue Tiny House
Remodelled Denim-Detailed Modern Apartments
Studio Edwards Remodels the Microloft in Melboune
Everyday Material Colorful Pavilions
Foster + Partners and NEON Create Two Pavilions in London
Sustainable Portable Cat Shelters
The Batsy Cat Shelter by Burcu Nehir Tüm Offers Comfort
Curved Translucent Experimental Apartments
NEUHÄUSL HUNAL Designs the Sculptor's Apartment
Balearic Island Housing Projects
The Life Reusing Posidonia Project has 14 Dwellings on the Island
Contemporary Sustainable Mobile Homes
IAAC Designs the MO.CA (MOBILE CATALYST) Mobile Home
Domestic Awareness Campaigns
IKEA Australia Presents the This is Not a Home Campaign
Up-Cycled Glamping Experiences
ekō Solutions Expands to Poplar Point Lakeside Park
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
This Czech Office Complex is Outfitted With Eco-Friendly Designs
Metaphorical Physical Community Buildings
ShedKM Designs the Lighthouse Church in Marseyside
Award-Winning Housing Designs
Hong-En Lin Emphasizes the Importance of Clean Water Access
Bio-Based Compact Housing
Woonpioniers Designs the Sustainable Sprout Ruben & Marjolein House
Prefabricated Exposed Structural Homes
Workshop Architecture Inc Designs the Unfinished House
Senior Living Farmhouse Designs
SRI Management Expands with Pioneer Senior Living at Upland Park
Micro-City Housing Nooks
Notan Office Transforms an Industrial Site in Brussels
Modular Bathroom Solutions
Prefabricated Pods Streamline Construction and Improve Quality
Branded Warm Clothing Donations
UNIQLO Stands Out with Its Heart of LifeWear Initiative
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Waste Tarp-Made Public Seating
The Membran Collective Joins the Urban Networks Project
Sustainably Handcrafted Bag Initiatives
The Tote of Hope Supports the Sheltersuit Foundation
Community-Centric Office Spaces
Shubin Donaldson Architects Designs the Tricon Residential Office
Affordable Social Housing Campuses
Studio Libeskind Creates The Atrium at Sumner Houses
Elevated Timber-Clad Homes
Habitable Form Designs the Victory Bay House on Kiawah Island
Educational Affordable Housing Initiatives
Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington is Uniting Youth
3D-Printed Housing Communities
The Community First! Village Will Have 100 Homes
Multifunctional Circular Housing Blocks
Gensler's EVE Park Design has Integrated EV Parking Towers
Living Condition Awareness Dollhouses
IKEA's UNWELCOME HOME Doll House Brings Awareness
Affordable Housing Complexes
The Reese Apartments in Felton, Delaware are Family-Friendly
Reconfigured Spacious Brooklyn Homes
Light & Air Design the Z House with an Open and Bright Look
Nature Blending Modern Homes
MODU Designed the Mini Tower One Residence in Brooklyn
Recycling-Centric Waterfront Homes
Measured Architecture Designs the Shor House Project
AI Green Financing Platforms
Singapore's AI Initiative for Sustainable Finance in Real Estate
Updated Sustainable API Features
Google Adds New Features to its Ingenious Project Sunroof
Geometric Prefabricated Pavilions
Heams & Michel Architectes Presents the 7 Kiosks Project
Pixelated Illusion Housing
Ben Van Berkel Creates the Van B Housing with Rieder's Help
Multifunctional Vietnamese Homes
H-H Studio Designs the House for Young Families in Da Nang
Environmental Sustainability Business Initiatives
Butterfly Pavilion Organized a Special Coalition
Space-Saving Tiny Homes
Levi Kelly Designs a Space-Conscious Compact Home on a Single-Axle Trailer
Hempcrete-Crafted Sustainable Workspaces
Commonbond Architects Designs the Gardenhide Studio
Affordable Deadstock Apparel
SHEIN Ventures Into Sustainable Production with a 30-Piece Capsule
Welcoming Prefabricated Student Housing
Ignacio Prego Architectures Designs New Student Housing
Refreshing Micro-Living Compact Homes
Mariano Ravenna Designs the SF-FR House with Concrete
Prison-Converted Affordable Houses
CookFox Architects Showcases Plans to Create New Housing
Steel-Cladded Social Housing
Christ & Gantenbein Creates a Block of Social Housing in Paris
Global Affordable Housing Competitions
ICON Challenging Architects & Designers with Initiative 99
Raw Concrete Industrial Homes
Studio Cochi Architects Designs the House in Nishizaki
Modern Mobile Futuristic Homes
Nestron Presents its Range of Contemporary Tiny Homes
Modern Concrete Community Residences
AOA Architects Designs the Hoji Gangneung Dwellings
Office-Transformed Co-Living Spaces
HUB & Bridges Fund Management Present its Cornerstone Project
Affordable Lifestyle Directories
'I Have This Friend' Makes Aspirational Living More Accessible
Eco-Friendly Refurbished Studios
Workers of Art Presents the WOA Second Home in Kochi
Sustainably Designed Mumbai Offices
Sanjay Puri Architects Designs the Office@27 Workspace
Urban Skyline-View Apartments
i29 Designs the Apartment with a View in Amsterdam
Ruin-Adaptive Shipping Container Homes
Patrick Bradley Architects Forms the Barneys Ruins Project
Social Connection-Focused Initiatives
Meals on Wheels America Combats Loneliness Among Seniors
Inclusive Social Housing Projects
Peris + Toral Arquitectes Design 85 Social Dwellings in Cornellà
Wellness Residential Programs
The International WELL Building Institute Launches WELL Residential
Industrial-Inspired Housing Units
Conen Sigl Designs the Westhof Housing Block in Zurich
Climate-Managing Greenhouse Concepts
Salazar Sequero Medina Designs the Livable Greenhouse Home
Retail Accessibility Frameworks
Starbucks Has Unveiled the Inclusive Spaces Framework
Space-Conscious Compact Residences
Piccola Tiny Homes Designs the Minuet Compact Home
At-Risk Youth-Targeted Initiatives
Victoria's Secret Notes Its Work with Pacific Links Foundation
Open-Air Perforated Concrete Homes
MM++ Architects Designs the Anchor House in Vietnam
Social Housing Unit Blocks
Joan J Fortuny & Alventosa Morell Arquitectes Forms 54 Social Housing
Shaded Modern Outdoor Furniture
mmcité street furniture Designs the UFO Shelter for Outdoors
Family-Oriented Apartment Renovations
Atelier L'Abri Takes on the Triplex Fabre Renovation Project
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Ukraine Apartment Renovation Projects
Mirzoyan Studio Renovates a Historic Flat in Kyiv
Expansive Inclusivity Initiatives
Boathouse Group Implements a Supplier Diversity Program
Unconventional Chinese Housing Estates
Atelier GOM Designs the Longnan Garden Estate
Flexible Coliving Platforms
The 'Coliving' Platform Helps Workers Find an All-Inclusive Place
Affordable Public Transport Initiatives
Germany Offers Unlimited Public Transit for €49 Monthly
Urban Green Space Overhauls
Four of London's green spaces will receive a makeover
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
City-Honoring Furniture Projects
The Symbiotic Urban Furniture Project is Imaginative
Sustainability-Focused Building Renovations
Climate Group Launches the Renovation Revolution
Manhattan-Honoring New York Residences
The McGovern Project Honors Manhattan's Artful Lofts
Purpose-Built Rental High-Rises
Anthem Properties Teams Up with Crestpoint Real Estate Investment
Art Deco Affordable Housing
the La Brea Affordable Housing Project Takes Place in LA
Alternative Housing Co-Living Buildings
French 2D Designs the Bay State Cohousing Complex
Refugee-Supporting Workplace Initiatives
IKEA is Extending its Refugee Employment Pilot
Expansive Roofs Concrete Homes
Studio MOB Creates a House in the Farm in Coimbatore
Collaborative Homelessness Initiatives
AMH Joins HomeAid to Address the Homelessness Crisis
Shanghai Marketing Office Refurbishments
Linehouse Renovates an Office for The Independents
Housing Block Defensive Facades
Bureau des Mésarchitecture Creates Gold Aluminum Shutters
Shared Kitchen Initatives
Metro & Food Banks of Quebec Address Food Insecurity
Accessible Home Services Marketplaces
Urban Company Recently Made Its Platform More Accessible
Multifamily Canadian Housing Developments
MODA Unveils the GROW Project with Roof Gardens
Empowering Home Improvement Initiatives
Resurfacing Solutions Offers Mentorship & Ownership
Gridded Screen Apartment Blocks
Neri&Hu Design a Grid Facade Residential Building in Taiwan
Archaeological Protection Initiatives
The Remains of the Curtain Playhouse are Uncovered in London
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Compact Bengali Affordable Homes
Marina Tabassum and AKT II Design the Khudi Bari House
Telecom Infrastructure Shelters
Panel Built Inc. Recently Introduced Telecom Shelters to Its Range
Asymmetrical Sculptural Apartment Blocks
LOHA Designs the South E8 Housing Block in Raleigh
Heat-Managing Insulated Rooms
Tim Adams' Climate Safe Rooms Combats Australia's Heat
Large Passive House Buildings
Handel Architects Builds the Harmony Commons at UofT
Re-Branded Housing Nonprofit Organization
Bridges to Housing Stability Modernizes Its Brand Image