New Federal Housing Administration policies expand financing for Accessory Dwelling Units, supporting the City of Asheville’s housing policy.
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a small, self-contained home that is located on the same lot as a primary dwelling. ADUs may be detached, attached, or internal to the primary dwelling. An ADU may also be located above a garage or in a basement. They can be one story or two stories.
ADUs provide practical housing options for the elderly, empty nesters, young students, and new families, and can provide additional rental income for homeowners. ADUs can help to provide needed housing and do not require the extra expense of purchasing land, can be developed by converting existing structures, and do not usually require the extension of city infrastructure for the additional housing units.
The City of Asheville supports Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a way to spur the development of more affordable housing options and promote diversity in the types of housing choices available for residents. ADUs are also known as backyard cottages, mother-in-law suites, basement apartments, ancillary units, carriage houses, and garage apartments. These smaller dwelling units provide all the necessary elements of any home, including a kitchen, bathroom, and living/bedroom, but at a smaller scale that is accessory to the primary home.
ADUs are permitted in all residential zoning districts, though are currently only allowed on lots with one single-family home. Standards and regulations for ADUs in Asheville can be viewed on the City’s project page for ADUs at www.ashevillenc.gov. Asheville updated regulations in 2015 to provide more flexibility for ADUs, but many residents have had problems financing ADUs that historically have been outside of traditional bank financing.
In July, the City announced that the Federal Housing…
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