Help Us Build 100 Homes in WNC for Those Who Lost in Helene
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Help Us Provide Affordable Relief Cottages to Families in Western North Carolina
After Tropical Storm Helene, many families in Asheville and Western North Carolina were left without homes, facing an overwhelming struggle to rebuild. At Compact Cottages, we’re on a mission to provide a real solution: safe, affordable homes that offer stability and hope—both now and for the future.
We’re raising $2.5 million to subsidize the construction costs to build 100 Relief Cottages, which will allow us to offer these homes to displaced families for as low as $25,000 per home, paired with other subsidies we have lined up. Every dollar you donate helps us bridge the gap, giving storm survivors a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.
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Relief Cottages: A Groundbreaking Model for Affordable Housing
Our Relief Cottages are permanent, small homes that meet North Carolina Building Code standards, ensuring they are safe, durable, and built to last. These are not temporary shelters or mobile homes; they are stick-built structures designed to provide long-term solutions for families in need.
While our Relief Cottages were initially designed to rapidly house those displaced by the storm, they represent something much bigger: a future-focused model to help solve the affordable housing crisis. These seed homes are compact, affordable, and designed to grow with their occupants:
• Expandable Design: Relief Cottages can serve as starter homes, with the ability to be expanded as families' needs and budgets grow.
• Permanent Foundations: These homes are built to be permanent residences, providing stability and peace of mind to those who live in them.
• Moveable Housing: If the homeowner needs to relocate or finds a new piece of land, the home can be moved, providing unmatched flexibility and sustainability.
This innovative approach challenges traditional housing models, offering a solution that is both immediate and adaptable for the long term. By supporting this initiative, you’re contributing to a groundbreaking idea that could significantly impact how we address the housing crisis across the nation.
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A Growing Network of Support
The need is enormous. Since launching our Relief Cottage initiative, we’ve received responses from more than 700 people—either needing housing or wanting to help provide housing. This includes a growing network of individuals who have volunteered to host Relief Cottages in their backyards for displaced families.
For families without land to place their homes, this network provides an incredible lifeline:
• Temporary Placement with Permanent Homes: Relief Cottages can be placed in a host’s backyard, giving displaced individuals a safe and stable environment.
• Future Flexibility: Once the homeowner secures land—whether their original property or a new piece of land—the Relief Cottage can be moved to its permanent location without compromising its structural integrity.
This collaboration between homeowners, community members, and Compact Cottages demonstrates the power of innovation, community, and goodwill in solving complex housing challenges.
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Who We Are: Compact Cottages
Compact Cottages is a leading innovator in prefab housing, headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina. At the heart of our operations is our state-of-the-art house factory, where we use advanced techniques to produce prefabricated wall panels, bath pods, and other modular components. This process allows us to build homes faster and more affordably without sacrificing quality or durability.
Our factory and construction system leverage our QuickerBuilt technology, which is designed for efficient assembly and adaptability. From initial design to the final build, we control every step of the process to ensure the highest standards in quality and precision.
Meet Our Team: Our success is driven by a dedicated and experienced team, including:
• A land planner who ensures that each home fits perfectly into its site and complies with all local requirements.
• An architectural designer who brings creative and functional designs to life.
• An in-house construction team that executes our builds with skill and efficiency.
• A network of subcontractors, some of whom have been with us for as long as 16 years, ensuring consistency and craftsmanship in every project.
Under the leadership of Barry Bialik, a licensed real estate broker and general contractor, Compact Cottages has already built hundreds of homes across the region. Barry’s background, coupled with his six years as chair of Asheville’s Affordable Housing Committee, underscores our commitment to solving the housing crisis through innovative, practical solutions.
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Why Realtors and Brokers Should Join Us
As housing professionals, we understand the transformative power of homeownership and stability. Barry’s experience as a licensed broker and his time on the Affordable Housing Committee underscore his commitment to this cause, one that resonates deeply with realtors and brokers.
We’re calling on our peers in the housing industry to join us in making an extraordinary difference. By donating to this campaign, you’re not just helping families rebuild; you’re supporting a cause that’s at the heart of our work. Let’s show the strength of our industry by uniting for those who need it most.
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Your Impact
Your donation brings us closer to our goal of subsidizing 100 Relief Cottages for displaced families. Here’s how your contribution helps:
• $250 helps cover essential materials like insulation and drywall.
• $1,000 helps fund plumbing, lighting, and kitchen installations.
• $5,000 supports major structural components of a home.
• $25,000 fully sponsors a home for a family in need.
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Why Compact Cottages?
Our house factory in Asheville allows us to produce high-quality prefab homes efficiently and affordably. By using prefabricated wall panels and modular construction techniques, we streamline the building process while maintaining exceptional quality. With a dedicated team of experts and long-standing subcontractor relationships, Compact Cottages is uniquely positioned to deliver real solutions to housing challenges.
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Let’s Rebuild Together
Whether you’re a housing professional, a community advocate, or someone who believes in the power of home, you can make a difference. Together, we can help families rebuild and restore hope in Western North Carolina. Your generosity will leave a lasting impact on our community.
Thank you for standing with us in this critical effort.
Here's a link to the Plans of the Relief Cottages. We have designed Studio, One, Two, and Three Bedroom variations to demonstrate how they can grow to a family's needs.
Here's a link to our 3D Design Configurator for the Studio and One Bedroom Relief Cottages.
Organizer
Barry Bialik
Organizer
Asheville, NC