Between 1944 and 1961 Dr. Stewart Wolf observed the residents of Roseto, Pennsylvania to study the effect of social structure on health and why the Rosetans lived so long. One hundred and three year old Carmen Ruggiero was one of those studied. “The moment you start stressing about things”, he said, “is when the problems come.” He believed that being happy with very little was the secret to longevity. Carmen could say that because Roseto provided housing, meaningful work and a community that cared for one another.

For the homeless, living with very little is counterfactual to the life Carmen led. Homelessness is a stressor that in some cases leads to addiction and mental heath issues. Square One Villages and Ross Chapin Architects approach community from two ends of the spectrum but both offer hope for those looking for an alternative.