One current example of this model can be found in Charlottesville, Virginia. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville set out to transform a trailer park community named Sunrise Park into single family homes, duplexes and condominiums.
In 2004, Habitat purchased the 16-unit trailer park and made a promise to existing residents that they would have guaranteed housing. Nine of the 16 families elected to stay. Sunrise Park occupies one full city block and when completed in 2013, it will contain up to 66 housing units, including 20 duplex houses, 20 single family homes and a condo building with 15 apartments.
The design was modeled as a community hub to bring existing and aspiring residents together and enable them to share common amenities, such as a communal backyard space. Watch Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville's video, Saving Sunrise, to learn more about the development process of this community.
If you cannot view the video directly from the blog post or by clicking on the link above, copy and paste the url into your internet browser.
http://youtu.be/r4upZAzxZ3w