OurStory Small Houses Open House
Get an early look inside two nearly complete OurStory Small Houses and experience how thoughtful design can support comfort, independence, energy efficiency, and changing needs over time.
Benson House and Corby House are side-by-side homes in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood. This public preview is an opportunity to experience the homes at full scale, explore two different approaches to small-home living, and learn about the ideas behind the OurStory project.
Together, the homes demonstrate how smaller, aging-ready housing can expand housing choices within established neighborhoods.
Event Details
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Noon–3 p.m.
5802 Corby Street
Omaha, Nebraska
Attend either day. The event is free and open to the public. The OurStory homes are being shared with the community as they near completion. Visitors will be touring an active project site.
Register for the Open House
This project is supported by AARP through the AARP Community Challenge Grant.
Tour two approaches to small-home living
Visitors will be able to explore two different OurStory Small Houses designs:
Benson House offers compact one-bedroom living in an efficient footprint.
Corby House provides two bedrooms, creating additional flexibility for a guest room, home office, caregiver space, hobby room, or changing household needs.
Guided tours will highlight features that make the homes easier to use now and more adaptable in the future, including:
Zero-step entrances
Comfortable circulation throughout the home
Walk-in shower
Adaptable kitchens and bathrooms
Reinforced walls for future safety modifications
Flexible rooms and storage
All-electric systems
Energy-efficient construction
Durable, manageable materials
One-level daily living
These features can benefit older adults, people with mobility changes, families with young children, caregivers, visitors, and anyone planning for different stages of life.
See aging-ready design at full scale
Many people understand accessibility only after they experience it in a real home. During the tour, visitors can compare layouts, move through the spaces, ask questions, and see how design decisions affect everyday living.
The open house is designed to help people think more clearly about options such as:
Downsizing to a smaller home
Remaining independent as needs change
Building a backyard cottage or accessory dwelling unit
Creating housing near family
Renovating an existing home
Developing small homes on infill lots
Planning future cottage-court communities