At Home in Ottawa County: Free Small-Footprint Home design plans to be unveiled at Jan. 8, 2026 Ottawa County Housing Commission meeting
Less than two years ago, the Ottawa County Housing Commission (OCHC) and the Department of Strategic Impact (DSI) embarked on a mission: to realistically increase housing supply by facilitating and encouraging the construction of high-quality smaller-footprint homes
Now, the largest and most accessible piece of this initiative is ready for prime time: a collection of Small-Footprint Home Plans will be made free for download by the general public on a completely revamped website that officially goes live at the first Ottawa County Housing Commission meeting of the year (10 a.m. Jan. 8, 2026, Ottawa County Administration Building, Conference Room F). Staff will formally introduce these plans and the website during the meeting.
Ranging in size from 440 square feet to 1,056 square feet, these nonproprietary architectural plans feature interchangeable exterior themes designed to fit within the communities they may be built and include material recommendations to ensure real-world feasibility. The public will be able to peruse different home designs and download plans of their choice after completing a simple survey.
The next major step in the County's overall small-footprint homes endeavor is to continue educating the general public about the value and benefits of building smaller and to collaborate with local decision-makers and planners to review local ordinances. Encouraging appropriate policy changes will help pave the way for the construction of this necessary housing stock in Ottawa County.
For more information on the Housing Commission, visit boards.miottawa.org/board/housing-commission or email plan@miottawa.org.
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