Are Self-Sustainable Communities Economically Viable?: A Financial Analysis of Self-Sustainable Communities

Abstract Sustainable energy is the new hot topic, and with it comes the conversation of self-sustainable communities. Society is currently neck deep in carbon emissions and pollution, and our current generation is constantly looking for solutions that can reduce our carbon footprint. The housing market is also experiencing a major price hike, with more than 80% of metro areas witnessing home prices increase in the last year. These major problems necessitate a solution, and fast. The most popular solution to these global issues is self-sustaining communities. Self-sustainable communities are groups of localized people off the grid that strive to meet the necessities required for survival (food, water, shelter, energy, etc.) without having to rely on external sources. These communities are able to fully thrive by themselves without the need for any outside intervention. Self-sustainable communities have long been seen as the best way to achieve sustainable, affordable living due to the long-term benefits that they can provide. However, are these communities economically viable in the short term? In this paper, we aim to unveil the curtains on the short-term economic viability and impact of self-sustained communities. We offer a deep analysis of the business aspects that go into creating a self-sustaining community, including cost breakdowns, sharing economy models, and market analysis. We conclude with whether or not self-sustained communities are economically viable in the short run, and also provide ways to fix or enhance potential problems with self-sustaining communities. Our hope is to expose the economical side of developing a self-sustaining community and inform the general public on what could potentially be the best solution to our current climate change crisis and housing deficit.