Fort Smith Housing Authority gets approval for another tiny home project

The Fort Smith Board of Directors has approved a zoning change for property on North Fourth Street allowing for the second development of tiny homes in Fort Smith by the Fort Smith Housing Authority.

The board on Jan. 2 unanimously approved rezoning a section of property at 308 and 324 N. Fourth Street from industrial light to multifamily high density. The Fort Smith Housing Authority, which owns the 0.57-acre plot, requested the change in zoning so that it could build a multifamily development consisting of 10 single-story detached “tiny homes” on an undeveloped tract of land.

“Our initial cottage-style development on North Ninth Street has been well-received,” said Mitch Minnick, housing authority executive director. “We had previously purchased the Fourth Street property for future development and believed this would be a good use for this property.”

The Ninth Street Cottages were completed in October 2022. They reached 100% occupancy in the second quarter of 2023 and have stayed fully-leased, Minnick said.

The homes will be approximately 640 square feet. Minnick said while rent can vary depending on funding sources and the income of tenants, the market rate rent will likely be around $720 a month, which includes water, sewer and sanitation. The tenant will be responsible for the electricity, he said.

The development plan also calls for 10 parking spaces for tenants. Director Neal Martin questioned whether that would be enough parking. He was told that off site parking could be available as well.

Though Minnick would not say if the small cottages were better than typical apartments most often offered through the housing authority, he did say the option was better for this property.

“We take into account a variety of factors when choosing how to develop a site, i.e. the size of the property, the property’s zoning, surrounding properties, etc. In looking at Fourth Street, we feel the cottage style fits the transitional area next to the Belle Grove Historic District and a few blocks out off Garrison Avenue well,” Minnick said. “We have previously built single-family and duplex subdivisions and have an apartment complex currently under construction. We are working to provide a variety of affordable housing options for our clients.”

He said the housing authority experimented with this style because of the land available on Ninth Street and have been happy with the results.

There is no set date for construction to begin on the project. With the necessary city approvals, the housing authority will start on funding applications for the project, which is expected to cost between $700,000-$900,000. The cost includes hard construction costs, as well as design, engineering, and other related development costs, Minnick said.

“Our hope is to be under construction before the end of 2024,” he said. “We look forward to providing additional housing close to downtown Fort Smith.”