Hatch Development Group has developed 26 single-family homes on 23 urban infill sites in several Des Moines, Iowa, neighborhoods.
The greystones are modeled after Chicago's unique architectural style of housing, with narrow widths and extended lengths. The new greystones blend in well with Des Moines' older housing stock from the early 1900s.
The four-bedroom homes serve families who earn 50 percent and 60 percent of the area median income and are interested in homeownership. Residents have the ability to own the homes after the 20-year HOME compliance period, with $50 of their monthly rents escrowed to assist with a future downpayment.
Each greystone has geothermal heating and cooling, which helps to ensure that utilities also will be affordable. Six of the homes are constructed with precast concrete wall panels, and the other 20 are constructed with structural insulated panels, which are energy efficient and durable.