Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Initiative

The SRO Working Group is focused on increasing the supply of deeply affordable housing for individuals with very low incomes, including seniors, people exiting homelessness, individuals with disabilities, and workers priced out of the rental market. Our goal is to identify opportunities to create new Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing through adaptive reuse, renovation of existing buildings, conversion of underutilized properties, and strategic new construction. We hope to partner with nonprofit and mission-driven developers, faith communities, healthcare institutions, local government, and service providers to create small, efficient units paired with supportive services that help residents remain stably housed. SRO housing offers a practical, cost-effective housing option by providing private sleeping/living spaces with shared or compact amenities. This model can create housing at a lower per-unit cost while fostering community and reducing isolation. Read more from Pew Research. . .

What Success Would Look Like

• Partnerships with supportive service providers
• Identification of buildings and sites suitable for conversion or development
• Policy and zoning reforms that allow smaller, more affordable housing types
• Demonstration projects that can be replicated throughout the community

Examples from Other Communities

Central City Concern (Portland, Oregon) — Affordable small-unit housing that combines deeply affordable rents, workforce-accessible housing, healthcare partnerships, and supportive services through adaptive reuse and community-centered development models.

Hennepin Co, MN — Successfully converted former hotels into SRO units, demonstrated strong demand, and encouraged broader adoption of this housing type while highlighting both its benefits and operational challenges.

Bray’s Crossing (Houston, TX) — A Houston redevelopment project that transformed a blighted motel into a 149‑unit single-room-occupancy (SRO) community, demonstrating that affordable housing for low-income individuals can be attractive, community-oriented, and effective in addressing homelessness. It combines adaptive reuse, supportive services, and public art to create a vibrant, dignified living environment that challenges stereotypes of low-income housing.

New Hope/Rittenhouse (Houston, TX) — Offers affordable, studio-style housing for low-income individuals, with private units and shared amenities designed to support stability and independence. The property also provides on-site services, community spaces, and convenient access to transit, healthcare, and nearby neighborhood resources. More info. . .

Tangible ways you can help