Casper, WY – The Wyoming Housing Network announced its next affordable‑housing project, Goodwill Landing, will add 22 dome‑shaped rental homes, a duplex and a clubhouse to the city’s west side near the CY Avenue Walmart. The first phase, slated to begin construction in 2027, will provide small‑unit housing for individuals, couples and families while showcasing a novel building material called High Performance Structural Cellular Concrete (HPSCC).
Why HPSCC?
Executive Director Melissa Noah explained that the network evaluated several emerging construction methods, including 3‑D‑printed housing, but found them too untested for Wyoming’s harsh winters. A social‑media post about a group building homes on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation caught her attention. That group, InOurHands, uses HPSCC to create dome‑shaped structures that are highly insulated, weather‑resistant and inexpensive to maintain.
According to Noah, the Pine Ridge homes cost about $20,000 each and can be heated with a modest seven‑amp heater – roughly the body heat of four people. The concrete’s cellular structure eliminates freezing pipes, roof repairs and major wind‑damage concerns, which translates into lower operating costs for residents.
Design and Community Impact
Goodwill Landing’s domes will accommodate one or two occupants, while the duplex and clubhouse are designed to be family‑sized and ADA‑compliant. Noah emphasized that the homes will not look like “bomb shelters.” Each unit will feature a porch, a colored exterior finish and a design intended to blend into a pleasant, community‑focused environment.
“If we’re going to move the needle on our housing needs in the state, we need more units, and we need them to be affordable for wherever that affordability point might be in the community,” Noah said. “Different doesn’t mean bad.”
Funding and Timeline
The project sits on land already owned by the network. Grants from Goodwill Industries of Wyoming and Wells Fargo have provided a solid start, and the organization expects to secure additional funding by December. With those resources in place, construction is projected to begin in 2027.
Infrastructure work will be required to connect the site to sewer, water and road networks. Noah noted that Wyoming is one of only two states without a statewide housing‑investment program to aid municipalities, making private‑sector initiatives like Goodwill Landing especially critical.
Long‑Term Vision
Goodwill Landing is the latest addition to the Wyoming Housing Network’s portfolio, which already includes 14 apartment complexes across the state. Noah said the dome project serves as a test case for future affordable‑housing solutions, including senior housing and other specialized needs.
“We’re not just bringing more units to the community; we’re looking for a solution that has a long‑term impact,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of potential for how we go forward with this development in a new way.”
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
