While typically small in square footage, accessory dwelling units deliver affordable housing at a time of great need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reasons for interest vary but the most prevalent may be that ADUs are making a dent in the country\u2019s housing supply shortage. \u201cThey\u2019re not the only solution but one tool in the toolkit,\u201d says developer Denise Pinkston, a partner of San Francisco\u2013based TMG Partners and president of Casita Coalition, a Los Angeles\u2013based group whose goal is to increase the number of small homes throughout California. \u201cWe\u2019re in favor of finding ways to help people gain a home since the down payment needed has eclipsed the ability of most working families,\u201d she says. Spevak agrees: \u201cThey\u2019re a way to build less-expensive housing without public subsidies since they\u2019re often less costly to rent or buy than other neighborhood options.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For older adults on fixed incomes, ADUs allow aging in place, which otherwise may be difficult, says Harrell. \u201cOur neighborhoods are 80% single-family housing,\u201d he says. ADUs also serve as guest houses, home offices, quarters for grown children and dwellings for natural disaster victims. (ADUs differ from tiny houses, which are under generally less than 400 square feet, often atop wheels, and not permitted on residential properties for the long term.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, ADUs can be a way to earn rental income or make a property more flexible as family needs change, says Portland, Ore., broker Aryne Blumklotz of Aryne + Dulcinea with Living Room Realty. Her business partner, broker Dulcinea Myers-Newcomb, added a 458-square-foot prefab ADU on her property to house her father in 2018. It may become a rental to help pay for her children\u2019s college tuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since 2000, when AARP issued the first edition of a model state act and local ordinance, more states have adopted legislation that effectively allows ADUs and preempts local prohibitions. AARP\u2019s Livability Index tracks statewide ADU legislation. The index credits California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia for having legislation that encourages or supports ADU development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
California started by allowing conversions of existing structures with a building permit, regardless of local zoning laws. Over time, it removed such barriers as owner-occupancy requirements, homeowners association prohibitions and limited parking requirements. It reduced fees and finally permitted state-allowed freestanding ADUs in a yard of a single- or multifamily site, regardless of local standards, says Pinkston. It also allowed ADUs in unused areas of multifamily buildings like attics or bike rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn just a few years and through a pandemic that slowed other housing types, the California results have been impressive,\u201d Pinkston says. \u201cMore than 65,000 ADUs have been added across its cities, suburbs and rural areas, all starved for workable housing options.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National Association of REALTORS\u00ae
Reprinted with permission<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
While typically small in square footage, accessory dwelling units deliver affordable housing at a time of great need. The Need Is Real Reasons for interest vary but the most prevalent may be that ADUs are making a dent in the country\u2019s housing supply shortage. \u201cThey\u2019re not the only solution but one tool in the toolkit,\u201d … <\/p>\n