Where Do We “Start” on Affordable Housing?

Date Posted: September 2, 2025

Posted In: Discussion,

by Tim Eagan, President, Eagan Building Group

Yesterday I drove past a post-WWII neighborhood and a realization hit me like a ton of bricks (yep, pun intended): Our “starter homes” today aren’t exactly… starting small.

Then (post-WWII):

• Simple 4-corner plans + straight gable roofs
• Little/no masonry
• No garage or a single-car
• Patio/stoop out back (no covered deck)
• ~1,200–1,400 SF footprint
• Galley kitchens + 6-seat table
• ~6,000–7,000 SF lots

Now (many “starter” builds):

• Complex footprints + busy rooflines
• Full masonry fronts
• 2–3 car garages
• Covered/screened decks
• ~2,000+ SF minimum
• Elaborate kitchens
• ~12,000–15,000 SF lots

My opinion:  The affordability crisis is real—but so is the creep of expectations.  Amenities add dollars. Those expectations aren’t just in the buyers. They start with planning and zoning ordinances, and with developers as well.

Bottom line:  If we want true “starter homes,” some scope has to… start smaller.

Your turn:  If you had to shave ~$30–$50k from a starter home, what’s the first feature you’d scale back — and what’s non-negotiable to keep quality of life?

Tim Eagan is President of Eagan Building Group. He began his construction career at age 16, earned a B.S. in Construction Management from Southeast Missouri State University in 2006, and brings 15 years of industry experience to leading the firm.