Key facts
- Casper, Wyoming, is using concrete dome structures to address its affordable housing crisis.
- Wells Fargo has committed $1 million to the Wyoming Housing Network for the Goodwill Landing project.
- The project will create 24 permanent affordable rental units using a novel construction method.
- The initiative aims to simultaneously address housing shortages and a lack of skilled construction workers.
- Wyoming has a statewide shortage of affordable rental homes for low-income households.
Casper, Wyoming, a city grappling with an affordable housing crisis, is turning to an unconventional construction method: dome-shaped homes made of poured concrete. This initiative, named Goodwill Landing, has secured a $1 million commitment from Wells Fargo and aims to provide 24 permanent affordable rental units in its first phase. The project, designed by Casper-based Hein-Bond Architects, utilizes High Performance Structural Cellular Concrete (HPSCC) developed by InOurHands, a method that promises faster construction, lower costs, improved energy efficiency, and tornado resistance.
Beyond addressing the critical shortage of housing, the project also seeks to tackle the scarcity of skilled construction workers. Wyoming Housing Network's executive director, Melissa Noah, highlighted that the dual problem is particularly acute in rural areas. The organization is partnering with local colleges, including Casper College and the Natrona County School District's Pathways Innovation Center, to train students in construction trades and expose them to new technologies like HPSCC. This approach aims to create a sustainable workforce pipeline for future developments.
Wyoming faces a severe statewide housing affordability problem, with only 33 affordable rental homes available for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. Despite legislative attempts, state lawmakers have largely failed to enact sweeping zoning reforms or remove regulatory barriers, unlike neighboring states such as Montana and Colorado. This has left communities like Casper to find their own solutions, often relying on local initiatives and trust funds to finance affordable construction.
The project draws a parallel to the historical Sears, Roebuck and Co. kit homes, which offered affordable housing through mail-order innovation. While modern modular housing might not offer the same cost savings due to shipping logistics, the HPSCC dome construction is expected to be significantly cheaper than traditional building methods. The cost for similar dome homes built on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation was estimated between $7,500 and $9,000 each in 2022. Wells Fargo's investment was motivated by the innovative building method and its climate resiliency features.