While roughly the size of a shipping container, the model micro home on display this week in Point Pleasant Borough Hall shows off the more luxurious aspects of the project.The project, which is being displayed by Catholics and Friends With A Heart for the Homeless, aims to providing homeless in Ocean County with affordable, practical, and dignified housing at a cost lower than traditional methods, such as paying for motel stays.

However, just because a home is designated as a “micro home”, it doesn’t mean it needs to be substandard in its comfort.

“I built the home like a normal home, just the scale is smaller,” said William Taylor, the engineer who designed the home.

At less than 200 square feet and costing less than twenty five thousand in materials and labor, the micro home still manages to provide many of the amenities seen in full size homes.

The exterior is painted white with decorative scalloped trim, a gabled roof, and a bright red door.

Once inside, bamboo based hard wood floor, a faux granite counter top and sink, and cream colored walls with decorative paintings are all illuminated by a large five by five foot window- a feature that Taylor said both creates the illusion of space and provides a practical purpose.

“The windows are passive solar, which heats the building. So in the morning if you came in here, it would be nice and warm in here even though it was a cold night.”

The micro home also features a full sized bathroom, complete with sink, toilet, and standing shower.

Gary Wright of Red Bank visited the home on Tuesday and was impressed by what he saw.

“You can be comfortable in there, and I’m a big guy and I like space.”

Maxine Snow, also of Red Bank, spent a part of her life living out of her car. She noted one of the most important aspects of the micro home concept, is the dignity it provides.

“Just being able to have the pride in something that you built or can say is your own, it gives you an incentive.”

Catholics and Friends With A Heart for the Homeless, aims to providing homeless in Ocean County hopes to find land in order to build around thirteen of the homes. The display home will remain open for visitors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the weekend.

 

 

More From 92.7 WOBM