From Field Trip to Front Page
When we visited Duncanville, TX, as part of the NEVO Dallas Field Trip, earlier this year, we didn’t expect one modest home to spark so much conversation. But Monte Anderson’s “roommate house” did exactly that. At first glance, it looked like a typical single-family house—but what unfolded inside was a masterclass in small-scale, high-impact housing innovation.
Photo credit: Gennie Gonzalez, from the Dallas Field Trip at Greenleaf (“Roommate house”)
This week, that very home was featured in the New York Times Sunday Edition as a promising solution to the housing crisis: a “roommate house” developed by one of our managing partners, Monte Anderson—who is also one of my mentors.
Designed with both affordability and dignity in mind, Monte’s model reimagines what shared housing can look like. Instead of cramming multiple tenants into a rental unit with minimal privacy, his design offers each resident a spacious suite with a private bathroom and shared common areas that foster community. It’s a thoughtful, people-centered approach that uses existing zoning and building standards to create more attainable housing—without waiting for big policy changes or massive investments.
At Neighborhood Evolution, we believe that change doesn’t have to come in the form of mega-developments or sweeping infrastructure. Change happens when local leaders take action—incrementally, creatively, and in response to the actual needs of their communities. Monte is one of those leaders, and his work has long inspired our mission to support small-scale developers and property owners across the country.
For those who joined us on the Dallas field trip, seeing this project in person was a highlight. And for those who missed it, watch Jon Jon Wesolowski video on Instagram, filmed on-site, where he walks through the house and explains the vision behind it. It’s worth the watch.
Photo credit: Gennie Gonzalez, from the Dallas Field Trip at Greenleaf (“Roommate house”)
Want to bring this kind of innovation to your own neighborhood? That’s exactly what we’re here for. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, Neighborhood Evolution offers coaching, tools, and community to help you take the next step.
Let’s build something better—one suite, one lot, one community at a time.
