It was named "housane" because of its shape, which resembles a simple drawing of a house.

The synthesis of molecules containing multiple strained rings, such as housane, is a traditional endeavor in synthetic organic chemistry.

Other methods include photolysis of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, pyrolysis of N-Phenyl-2-oxo-3-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, and addition of methylene to cyclobutene.

In the presence of a platinum catalyst at room temperature, it is hydrogenated into cyclopentane.

Reaction with hydrogen bromide at lower temperatures affords bromocyclopentane.