5 Misunderstood Facts About Accessory Dwelling Units

When you think about the future of residential living, what comes to your mind? Many Americans would say flexible spaces that are eco-friendly and convenient. The “American Dream” 2.0 is centered around working from home, flexible spaces, and live-in grandparents. While many people see ADUs as a more innovative way to create affordable housing and increase density on land already used, there are still some common misconceptions about ADUs.

1: ADUs Are Bad for the Environment

According to a recent State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality report, accessory dwelling units can cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40% compared to standard single-family homes. Even though many studies have shown that ADUs use less of Earth’s resources to build and power than normal-sized homes, some worry that ADUs will create heat islands in already densely populated areas. While this may be a valid concern, research shows that accessory dwelling units of 700 square feet will still impact climate change 50% less than a standard size home. Modern ADUs are also better for the environment because they are constructed on already developed land. Cutting down less of Earth’s natural creations is always a win.

2: ADUs Are Eye Sores

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Most ADUs are beautifully constructed and equipped with modern amenities. Perfect for home offices, live-in guests, and monthly rentals, ADUs can give your home a modern flair while granting you extra space and an alternative source of income. What’s more beautiful than that? Additionally, most ADUs are constructed in backyards and have little impact on your home’s street view.

3: ADUs Cause Parking Problems

There is zero evidence that ADUs cause parking problems. According to a study conducted by the City of Portland, the nation’s ADU leader, ADUs were responsible for 744 cars in the city, while single-family homes were responsible for 266,440. Additionally, the average single-family home accounted for 1.53 cars, while the average ADU accounted for 0.93 cars. As the old adage goes, numbers don’t lie.

4: ADUs Will Bring Noisy Construction to Your Neighborhood

Many ADU contractors build their tiny homes off-site. This allows for zero construction noise and no frustrated neighbors. However, it is recommended that you keep your neighbors informed about your ADU construction process. Many might even find it interesting, and if there is any unwanted noise on ADU delivery day, keeping them informed can help lessen any disturbances.

5: ADU Residents Don’t Pay Taxes and Drain Community Resources

Contrary to the assumptions of this myth, ADU residents pay taxes that support local infrastructure like schools, roads, and parks. According to a recent study by Berkley, a $100,000 ADU generates an additional $80,000 of indirect spending in a city’s local economy when most purchases are made locally. The findings from this study prove that ADU’s can help to improve a community’s local economy, not harm it.

Learn More About the Abodu Process

At Abodu, our goal is to make the ADU process as efficient and seamless as possible, while also helping to solve the housing crisis and positively impact the environment and the communities we work in. We believe our team of real estate and construction veterans can help to elevate the ADU process to new heights in the years to come. For more information on the Abodu process, visit one of our showrooms or fill out our online form. Share on facebookShare on Twitter(https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.abodu.com/2022/02/10/5-misunderstood-facts-about-accessory-dwelling-units)