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All About Accessory Dwelling Units

Three free publications (and more) about how ADUs expand housing options for people of all ages

AARP.org/ADUs

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.)


GETTING STARTED

The ABCs of ADUs

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)


GETTING INTO THE DETAILS

Accessory Dwelling Units

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

A trifold brochure about the guide can be ordered using D20481


AARP VIDEOS ABOUT ADUS

MORE FROM AARP ABOUT ADUS

STATE-SPECIFIC AARP ARTICLES AND GUIDES

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES


Page updated November 2021

A-Z Archive

CREATING POLICY

ADU Model State Act and Local Ordinance

Download this free, 56-page PDF that can be used by state and local elected officials in support of legislation to allow ADUs. Learn More »

ADU STYLES AND TYPES

FROM 'The ABCs of ADUs'

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO

Our Free Publications!

See the complete list at AARP.org/LivableLibrary

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