Beyond Zoning Reform: A Review of Strategies for Accessory Dwelling Unit Affordability

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have experienced a recent resurgence due to rising costs of housing and state and local efforts to relax regulations and adopt other measures to support ADU development. This review focuses on scholarly, professional, and gray literature on actions and tools to support ADUs that a) go beyond reform of land use regulations, and b) specifically address affordability concerns. We seek to provide an updated and accessible distillation of key issues related to financing, affordable ADU rental and ownership strategies, legalization, and assembling an ecosystem of networked public and private sector roles in ADU development and management.