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<br />1 <br /> <br />Understanding Accessory Dwelling Units <br />and Their Importance <br />California’s housing production is not keeping pace with <br />demand. In the last decade less than half of the needed <br />housing was built. This lack of housing is impacting <br />affordability with average housing costs in California <br />exceeding the rest of the nation. As affordability <br />becomes more problematic, people drive longer distances <br />between a home that is affordable and where they work, <br />or double up to share space, both of which reduces <br />quality of life and produces negative environmental <br />impacts. <br /> <br />Beyond traditional market-rate construction and <br />government subsidized production and preservation there <br />are alternative housing models and emerging trends that can <br />contribute to addressing home supply and affordability in California. <br />One such example gaining popularity are Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) (also referred to as second units, in- <br />law units, or granny flats). <br /> <br />ADUs offer benefits that address common development barriers such as affordability and environmental quality. <br />ADUs are an affordable type of home to construct in California because they do not require paying for land, major <br />new infrastructure, structured parking, or elevators. ADUs are built with cost-effective one- or two-story wood frame <br />construction, which is significantly less costly than homes in new multifamily infill buildings. ADUs can provide as <br />much living space as the new apartments and condominiums being built in new infill buildings and serve very well <br />for couples, small families, friends, young people, and seniors. <br />ADUs are a different form of housing that can help California meet its diverse housing needs. Young professionals <br />and students desire to live in areas close to jobs, amenities, and schools. The problem with high -opportunity areas <br />is that space is limited. There is a shortage of affordable units and the units that are available can be out of reach <br />for many people. To address the needs of individuals or small families seeking living quarters in high opportunity <br />areas, homeowners can construct an ADU on their lot or convert an underutilized part of their home like a garage <br />What is an ADU <br />An ADU is a secondary dwelling unit with complete independent living facilities for one or more persons <br />and generally takes three forms: <br /> Detached: The unit is separated from the primary structure <br /> Attached: The unit is attached to the primary structure <br /> Repurposed Existing Space: Space (e.g., master bedroom) within the primary residence is <br />converted into an independent living unit <br /> Junior Accessory Dwelling Units: Similar to repurposed space with various streamlining measures <br />Courtesy of Karen Chapple, UC Berkeley <br />8.B. - Page 51