The world’s third-most expensive housing market, Vancouver has been alleviating some of the price constraints by allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on private property. Granny flats and basement apartments are more affordable than single-family homes. Plus, they use less resources, and allow residents to enjoy an urban lifestyle.
CityLab reports that other cities with high housing demand are following suit. Places such as Seattle, Portland, Ore., Austin, Texas, and Durango, Colo., are beginning to relax their building codes to encourage construction of ADUs.
NIMBYs oppose granny flats, fearful that they will ruin a neighborhood’s character and lure short-term renters into the area.
Worries about new buildings or configurations changing an area’s aesthetics, and new tenants clogging up streets with their cars, spur neighborhood groups to stymie ADU-friendly housing rules.
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