ADUs have become a constant in our communities. This is because of the increase in housing prices in American society. Middle-income or low-income families find it hard to afford housing in respectable areas. Due to this, most people convert certain parts of their properties into extra units, also known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs, which they can rent out to people in need of homes but can’t afford to own a building.

ADUs are secondary units that are added to existing primary properties. They could be converted garages or backyard apartments. They can be attached to the main wall of the primary building or detached entirely from the building. Converted attics and basements also act as ADUs. Professionals like Acton construction work with homeowners that want to benefit from a long-term family housing and investment plan.

Benefits of the ADU; A Solution to Housing Price Hike

ADUs are small and relatively less expensive to build and are seen as a lower-cost solution to high housing prices. People who can’t afford to buy conventional houses see ADUs as an opportunity to find comfortable and affordable places to live in.

The benefits of having ADUs aren’t limited to extra space to rent out when needed. Families can set up aging seniors near them to care for them in the ADU they built. Also, students who can’t afford their own homes can rent out an ADU to lodge in until they’re able to afford their own space. Home owners could also move out family members into their ADU in a bid to downsize.

Homeowners can also rent out their backyard spaces to cooperatives and receive income without having to deal with the cost and responsibilities of building and renting out their ADUs.

The possibilities and potentials of ADU are limitless. It creates more opportunities for builders, contractors, and architects. It also leaves fewer footprints on the ecosystem. This is because they are built in areas that have existing services, and they use fewer resources to be maintained. Their smaller size also makes them accessible to more people.

The ADU innovation is leading to a whole new trend in technology, construction, and town planning. Prefabricated ADU uses new technology to create these buildings in a factory, then ship them out to be assembled at the owner’s property. This saves manufacturing time and allows a different kind of efficiency in construction. With the rapid advancements in technology, more technologies to help aid this process should be expected.

While ADU isn’t a perfect solution to housing problems in America, it is one to be considered, as it is an evidence-based solution that can greatly reduce the crisis that affordability of housing poses to our nation.

Education of homeowners on the financial benefits of owning an ADU, as well as properly incentivizing them, would rapidly increase ADU development. This would have a great impact on the economy of the state.

ADU in our Society

Internationally and collectively, working towards developing ADUs in our society would do more than provide basic shelter for people who cannot afford conventional housing options. Rather, developing ADUs would help us create accessible, comfortable, healthy, and environmental homes. This can also help us support our local workforce development and create opportunities for wealth-building among members of our communities. Also, aging members in the community are allowed to gracefully age in place, with family members to care for them.