All About Accessory Dwelling Units

As small houses or apartments that exist on the same property lot as a single-family residence, Accessory Dwelling Units — or ADUs — play a major role in serving a national housing need. This traditional home type is re-emerging as an affordable and flexible housing option that meets the needs of older adults and young families alike. (Find this page again: AARP.org/ADU.)

A Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units and How They Expand Housing Options for People of All Ages

A primer for elected officials, policymakers, local leaders, homeowners, consumers and others, The ABCs of ADUs is an award-winning, 24-page introductory and best-practices guide for how towns, cities, counties and states can include ADUs in their mix of housing options.

GET THE GUIDE (Updated in 2021 with new photos and information)

• Download the PDF
• Use our Online Order Form or
• To order multiple copies, email Livable@AARP.org with your Name, Mailing Address and the publication number D20473

A Step by Step Guide to Design and Development 

Featuring ADU policies and projects from Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Oakland, California; and Washington, D.C., this 113-page Accessory Dwelling Units design catalog contains information about financing and budgeting for an ADU project as well as visuals that show how ADUs can be easily designed to serve people of differing ages and abilities. 

GET THE GUIDE

• Download the PDF
• Use our Online Order Form or
• To order multiple copies, email Fulfillment@AARP.org with your Name, Mailing Address and the publication number D20480

A trifold brochure about the guide can be ordered using D20481

^{Page updated November 2021}