AARP helps expand affordable housing options in NC

RALEIGH -- For years, AARP North Carolina championed a simple idea: older adults should have more housing choices in the communities they call home. As home prices climbed and families searched for affordable ways to care for aging parents, adult children, and grandchildren, AARP NC saw accessory dwelling units, often called ADUs or granny flats, as part of the solution. The organization began a long-term effort to educate policymakers, build public support, and demonstrate how modest housing reforms could help North Carolinians age in place while strengthening communities.

What followed was not a single campaign, but years of persistent advocacy. AARP NC lobbied lawmakers, forged coalitions with partners across the political spectrum, testified before local legislative bodies, mobilized grassroots advocates, and helped educate both policymakers and the public on the benefits of ADUs.

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AARP Associate State Director Mark Hensley, who helps lead AARP’s work to make communities more livable said, “ADUs help multigenerational families live close to each other while maintaining privacy and independence. They support aging in place by enabling older adults to stay in their communities and manage caregiving needs more easily. They also help offset housing costs for homeowners and renters and can be adapted for seniors with mobility or care needs.”

AARP’s work in North Carolina also highlighted local successes from communities that had already embraced these housing options, showing that ADUs could provide affordable housing while preserving neighborhood character. The effort often required partnerships and a lot of education about options like ADUs. AARP NC volunteers went to countless local government hearings, held virtual tours of ADUs and worked with planning experts to demonstrate their value and attractive design.

AARP Manager of State and Federal Advocacy Chris Brandenburg said, “This summer, those years of work paid off. The North Carolina General Assembly passed Senate Bill 445, a sweeping regulatory reform measure that included provisions expanding ADUs statewide.”

Governor Stein signed the bill into law on August 12, opening the door for ADUs in municipalities with populations of 50,000 or more, with the exception of a handful of coastal counties.”

According to Brandenburg, the new law represents more than a legislative victory. “For older adults seeking independence, families looking to stay connected, and communities searching for affordable housing solutions, it creates new opportunities across North Carolina. It also stands as a reminder that meaningful change often comes from years of steady advocacy, coalition building, and grassroots engagement. Thanks in large part to AARP North Carolina's leadership, more families will now have the flexibility and housing choices they need for generations to come,” he said.

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