Barbara Peraza-Garcia and her family live in a single-room apartment in Seattle, where every part of the 180-square-foot space serves multiple purposes.
The room, which measures 180 square feet, serves as a place for sleeping, playing, watching TV, and dining for Peraza-Garcia, her partner, and their 2 and 4-year-old children.
Even though the 180-square-foot apartment is a tight fit for the family from Venezuela seeking asylum, they chose it for its $900 per month rent, which was more than $550 lower than the average studio in Seattle. The apartment includes a basic bathroom and a shared kitchen, providing a significant improvement from their previous living situation of sleeping on the floor of a church.
Peraza-Garcia is grateful for their micro-apartment, as it provides warmth, a private bathroom, and the ability to cook. This allows the family to stay together and provides essential access to medication for her kidney condition, which was not readily available in Venezuela.
In the early 1900s, boarding houses offering single rooms were common across the U.S. as a housing option for low-income, blue-collar, or temporary workers. These single room occupancy units, known as SROs, declined after the postwar years due to urban renewal efforts and a focus on suburban single-family housing.
Now, the concept of micro-apartments is reemerging to address the need for more affordable housing in cities struggling with rising homelessness.
Dan Bertolet, senior director of housing and urbanism for the non-profit research center Sightline Institute, highlights the affordability of micro-apartments for individuals seeking low-cost housing.
The Pacific Northwest is leading the way in the resurgence of micro-apartments. Last year, Oregon passed a bill allowing for the construction of micro-apartments, and this year, Washington state lawmakers followed suit, removing barriers to building these tiny units that are approximately one-third the size of an average studio apartment.
The Washington bill, signed by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee after receiving nearly unanimous support in the Legislature, will mandate most cities to permit micro-apartments in residential buildings with at least six units starting in late 2025.
The legislation aims to address the escalating housing costs and critical housing shortage, particularly in the Seattle area, which has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the nation.
A recent report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition revealed a shortage of 7.3 million affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters, who make up nearly one-quarter of renters nationwide.
Rep. Mia Gregerson, the sponsor of Washington’s bill, anticipates that the measure will result in the construction of thousands of units, providing affordable housing for a wide range of individuals, including young people, elderly individuals, and those transitioning out of physical or mental health treatment.
"The government cannot close that gap alone, it needs to have for-profit, market-rate housing built simultaneously," stated Gregerson, a Democrat.
In the last half of the 20th century, the U.S. lost hundreds of thousands of SROs due to their association with poverty and substandard accommodation, which led to restrictive zoning laws. Some cities even banned their construction, a loss that housing experts believe contributed to the homelessness crisis.
Confronted with the crisis and a severe housing shortage, cities and states nationwide are now changing their position.
In December, while dealing with a large influx of migrants, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced a $50 million program to repair and renovate 500 SROs across the state. New York City has lost at least 70,000 such units between the early 20th century and 2014, according to a report from New York University’s Furman Center.
However, there is concern that this type of affordable housing may not be suitable for families, especially those in vulnerable situations.
The Seattle area has more than 3,800 homeless families with children, one of the highest numbers in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 2023 one-night count.
Cities should prioritize constructing affordable housing that includes larger units, such as studios and one-bedroom apartments, according to Marisa Zapata, a land-use planning professor at Portland State University.
"My biggest concern is that people will see micro-apartments as the solution and neglect to build the housing that the community truly needs," said Marisa Zapata.
The bill passed by Oregon lawmakers last year mandates that local governments permit single room occupancy units in areas zoned for residential use, and this provision became effective on Jan. 1.
Central City Concern, a Portland-based nonprofit that assists the homeless, leases over 1,000 SRO units, both subsidized and non-subsidized, to those who are extremely low income. It helps individuals facing challenges in accessing housing, such as eviction histories and poor credit scores.
The units have a median rent of $550 a month, making them a crucial option for individuals transitioning out of homelessness or living on fixed incomes, like people with disabilities, according to Sarah Holland, senior director of supportive housing and employment. She stated that over 80% of tenants were previously homeless, with some residing in their units for 30 years.
"As costs continue to rise in Portland, it gives them the opportunity to remain in their homes," asserted Sarah Holland.
Cheyenne Welbourne moved into one of the nonprofit’s micro-apartments in downtown Portland last March after years of living on the streets. The room, which has a curtained-off toilet and sink, is just big enough to fit a single bed, a chair and a TV. But to him, it’s a cherished home that he’s adorned with colorful lights, potted plants and action figures. He uses the small kitchenette, which features an induction cooktop, for making the tea he loves to drink.
"All I had was just me and my backpack, and that’s it," he said. "I was just happy to be in here and that I didn’t have to spend another winter out there."
"I simply desire a home, you know? A pleasant home, a respectable home."
Some specialists hope that the Pacific Northwest will encourage more states to take similar actions.
"The other options are … individuals staying in shelters, individuals living on the street, individuals living with two, three, or four times the typical number of occupants," stated Vicki Been, faculty director at New York University’s Furman Center and a law professor.
For Peraza-Garcia’s family in Seattle, the small living space is worth it to be near their relatives and within walking distance of grocery stores, a park, and preschools. They intend to spend the next year in the micro-apartment and then relocate to a larger place if they can secure well-paying jobs.
"We are pleased to be here in a peaceful location where we can be together as a family," she said.
