ADUs are a Win for Homeowners, Renters, and Our Community

ADUs are not a standalone solution for our housing crisis but they are an important tool that will enable us to quickly add year-round rental housing while we also pursue longer-term developments. Over the past 18 months, we have seen businesses cut operating hours, prices increase, and supply and services reduced dramatically—all due to the inability to hire staff because there is no place affordable for our workforce to rent. We must act now.

Benefits of ADUs

  • ADUs can be permitted and built quickly in a matter of months – that’s the speed we need to address our urgent housing crisis

  • Bylaws require year-round leases so they won’t be diverted to short-term rentals

  • Built within existing wastewater limitations and with minimal tree clearing

  • Optimize the use of existing single-family homes

  • Blend into the neighborhood context
  • Enable homeowners to generate income from what is usually their single largest asset
  • Can be built without significant public investment
  • Create flexibility in home use as a homeowner’s needs change throughout their life
Keys in door

The High Cost of Doing Nothing – What’s at Stake?

If we do nothing…

Worker attraction and retention goes down

Employers have to pay more to attract workers or reduce hours

Consumers pay higher prices for goods and services

Lack of consumer choices and access to essential services

Region’s competitiveness decreases

If we take action…

Local year-round workforce increases demand for year-round business and professional jobs

Businesses can afford to expand and hire more workers

More reasonably priced goods and services

Greater consumer choices

Region’s competitiveness increases

Next: Why Aren’t There More ADUs Already? >