How Starter Homes Can Shield Cities From the Housing Crisis
Mark and Fawn Gottschalks’ shotgun house in Pensacola, Florida.
Mark and Fawn Gottschalks’ shotgun house exemplifies how small, adaptable homes (also known as starter homes) can address today’s housing challenges.
In many towns, it would be illegal to build this kind of house. Thanks to zoning reform, though, this property could give the Gottschalks an affordable entrance into homeownership that was just right for their family.
Built in 1989 on a modest 3,000-square-foot lot in Pensacola, Florida, the 850-square-foot shotgun house is charming and practical. Upon taking possession, the Gottschalks' budget allowed them to update the kitchen and bedrooms to meet their immediate needs. They've left the attic undeveloped for now, but it offers potential for conversion into a third bedroom. They're thinking about adding a backyard cottage in the future, as family needs arise. Pensacola's zoning reforms have made this all possible. This flexibility allows the house to adapt as the Gottschalks family grows, proving that small homes can evolve without losing their appeal.
The Gottschalks' house sits within walking distance of a daycare, parks, schools and local baseball games, offering conveniences that outweigh any desire for extra space. The neighborhood is zoned C-2 (general commercial), reflecting Pensacola's recognition that residences and businesses benefit from proximity. This ensures that Mark and Fawn experience a community that is adapting and changing in fruitful ways. Their small home is not out of place — it is part of the eclectic mix of housing that is characteristic of dynamic neighborhoods.
Downtown Pensacola’s population growth — from 500 to over 6,000 residents in two decades — demonstrates the power of diverse housing options. Mark and Fawn’s home embodies this vision, showing how small housing solutions integrate seamlessly into revitalization efforts.
Inspired by resourceful designs of the past, small homes such as the Gottschalks’ create opportunities for individuals and families to build stable, connected lives. Mark and Fawn know it’s the starting point they need for a bright future in Pensacola.
Learn how to bring more housing to your city. “The Housing-Ready City: A Toolkit for Local Code Reform” presents six code reforms that local officials can implement today with the authority they already have. It explains how to implement these reforms and provides real examples of places that have already done so.
Want to go even deeper? Sign up for the spring session of the Accelerator to get coaching from Strong Towns experts. Discuss approaches with other professionals and develop a plan to make your community housing ready.
