As housing costs continue to climb, solutions for creatively housing people are popping up nationwide. A traditional single-family detached home may be financially out of reach for potential homebuyers. It may not be the best fit for communities with changing household sizes. An accessory dwelling unit is a small house or apartment located on the same lot as a single-family home - and can be one of the solutions for people of various ages, abilities, and income levels.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can provide an affordable alternative to neighborhoods that have room to spare and want to moderately increase density. However, it's not as easy as flipping a switch and waking up to a new landscape of new ADUs. Many communities will need to modify their local codes to expand who can live in an ADU, where they can be built, and notably, minimize construction prices.
This webinar will provide an overview of ADU policies and practices. In addition, real examples from communities in Pennsylvania and elsewhere that are rewriting their codes, overcoming political hurdles, and attracting a new wave of residents will be shared with participants.
Learning Objectives:
- How ADUs can create additional and affordable housing in communities.
- Learn how a community can provide ADUs and can be permitted housing options.
The Land Use Webinar Series, partnered with the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (PA-APA), is a series of monthly sessions that present in-depth information on land use topics affecting the communities of Pennsylvania. This series benefits land owners, farmers, elected and appointed officials, developers, and community members who are involved in decision-making processes regarding using or preserving natural resources.