91视频

Three McMinnville women 鈥� all widowed mothers of adult children with developmental disabilities 鈥� are inspiring a building movement. Or they’re at least raising awareness of community needs that could lead to one.

Living options are scarce for adults with special needs, and Patricia Smith, Patricia Britton and another woman who asked not to be identified became friends through their efforts to build appropriate housing for their children. Now in their 60s and early 70s, the women are thinking of their own futures and, again, found few existing options.

鈥淲e thought it would be good if we could be neighbors 鈥� not roommates, but neighbors in small, energy-efficient homes,鈥� Britton said. 鈥淟ike an informal assisted-living community where people would know whether we were coming or going, where people would come in and check on us if there was no activity for 24 hours.鈥�

So with the help of John Mead, founder of , the three women found a property near Cozine Creek, purchased it and helped Mead refine 鈥�50/10 Houses鈥� 鈥� a design concept that, for many homebuilders, reflects the market’s desire for affordable green homes.

The 鈥�50/10鈥� concept is to build houses that are 50 percent more efficient than those built to Oregon code, at only a 10 percent premium. The challenge, Mead said, is targeting prospective buyers.

鈥淧art of our success as a green builder is getting creative in our marketing approach,鈥� he said.

Matt Daby, owner of , designed the Cozine Creek homes, as well as a suite of options for future 50/10 homes. The team was inspired by the desire of the McMinnville women to live near each other, and it hopes to bring a similar sense of community to future 50/10 projects.

鈥淲ith Cozine Creek, the idea was that we’re not only paying attention to your lot and your house, but also to the spaces in between and how they intersect,鈥� said Daby, whose efforts were also influenced by his work to design a future 35-unit community for the . 鈥淵ou’re thinking about your neighbors rather than just yourself.鈥�

Daby and the team from Cellar Ridge are hoping to build another 鈥減ocket neighborhood鈥� at Valley’s Edge, a McMinnville development with some existing homes and apartments, but 28 lots still for sale.

鈥淲e approached the developers and said, 鈥楬ey, we’re not in a position to buy these lots, but we’ll put them on contract (for six) and market the concept,’ 鈥� Mead said. 鈥淲e agreed upon a purchase price with them so when we get started we have those lots ready to go.鈥�

A couple of prospective homebuyers are in discussions to purchase lots, according to Mead, but so far all six are still available. The new home models start at $225,000, and the team is exploring options for building 50/10 houses on single infill lots in Portland.

Britton moved into her new, 1,300-square-foot home along Cozine Creek about three weeks ago, and Cellar Ridge will begin work on Smith’s house in the coming weeks.

The double-wall construction, heat recovery ventilators, high insulation levels and solar orientation are paying off, according to Britton. Her first utility bill was $25.

鈥淥ur experience is if it doesn’t exist, then see what you can do to create it,鈥� she said.

After struggling to find suitable housing for their kids, the women worked with Families United for Independent Living, a Yamhill County nonprofit, to build two apartment buildings 鈥� one in McMinnville and one in Newberg 鈥� for low-income, developmentally disabled adults. Both Britton’s and Smith’s children live independently in the units at Hendricks Place in McMinnville.

And now their ingenuity is helping them plan ahead for the realities of their own futures.

鈥淪o many women are left alone and as we age we need support from other women friends,鈥� said Smith, who has outlived two husbands. 鈥淚t’s just part of life.鈥�