MicroLife Institute

New year, new challenges for housing options

Cottages on Vaughn MicroLife Institute founder Will Johnston (center) accepts the Urban Land Institute Award.

By Erica Copenhaver

As we welcome the new year, we’d like to reflect on last year’s successes and challenges and illuminate where we’ll be heading next. MicroLife Institute continues to support the belief that housing is a human right, and that everyone deserves a place to call home.

While so many of us have the joy of spending time with family and our communities over the holidays, there are many more who face housing insecurity and the numerous hardships that come with it. Though we shared our mission with many last year, there is still much work to be done.

In 2022, MicroLife made great strides in changing housing policy to promote abundant housing and housing choice throughout the Southeast. We were honored to receive the Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award for our pilot pocket neighborhood in Clarkston, Georgia, the Cottages on Vaughan.

We brought hundreds together and shared education about missing middle housing through our public tours of the Cottages, the South Eastern Tiny House Festival, and the Innovative Housing Summit. We worked directly with municipalities to highlight the housing challenges their communities are facing and how they can forge stronger neighborhoods through implementing better policies.

Coming off the heels of such a big year, MicroLife is even more dedicated to making sure everyone has access to housing options. The spirit of giving and togetherness doesn’t only have to last for the holiday season. We can create lasting community bonds and develop relationships with our neighbors who will support and uplift us when we need and allow us to return the favor when we’re able.

We are committed to building community through the built environment – our next plan for developing more housing for those who need it is already underway. MicroLife Institute is partnering with Hope Springs Housing to build 10 homes for previously incarcerated women to reunite with their children.

We are also looking forward to developing more pocket neighborhood communities in the greater Atlanta area and beyond. Moreover, we will continue to forge new partnerships with cities and counties who need our help in developing equitable policies and pilot developments for the good of their citizens.

Last year may have been a big one for us, but it was only the beginning of what we know we are capable of accomplishing. We will continue to educate community members, policy makers, builders and developers alike on the urgent need for housing change, and the profound impact that it can have. We’re so excited to share our insights and progress with you here, and we hope you’ll join us in our journey to create a better world through better housing.