The Sarah Jean

The Sarah Jean is a women-centered housing model currently in development. It is inspired by the historic American boarding house and reimagined for contemporary urban life. Developed under the Urbanational Ownership Framework, it offers short- to mid-term dwelling for independent women seeking stability, calm, and community during periods of transition.

The Sarah Jean is envisioned as a 7–10 room, multi-dwelling home with private rooms and shared amenities designed to support both privacy and connection. The model combines market-rate mid-term rentals with a clearly articulated social mission, creating a financially viable yet values-driven housing approach.

Planned shared spaces include:

• communal dining and kitchen spaces
• dedicated rooms for reading, working, and quiet reflection
• thoughtfully designed interiors that prioritize calm and care

The model emphasizes design, maintenance, and standards behind the four walls as essential to stability and well-being.

The Sarah Jean is intended for independent women navigating transition, including:

• relocating professionals and students
• caregivers and visiting workers
• creatives or entrepreneurs between chapters
• women rebuilding after disruption

Residents are not defined by deficit or crisis, but by a desire for stability, dignity, and intentional living.

A portion of occupancy is envisioned to support women in transition through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, complementing—not replacing—existing housing and social service systems.

This mixed-tenancy approach is grounded in research showing that thoughtfully designed, well-supported housing models contribute to neighborhood stability and renewal.

The Sarah Jean is being developed with the belief that housing can support both individual stability and community health—when care, stewardship, and dignity are treated as foundational, not optional.