FOR PROFESSIONALS
Neighborhood-scale homes create equitable communities.
How can middle homes help my community?
Create more housing choices and inclusiveness
Neighborhood-scale homes offer choice and inclusion that helps people afford to live in the community of their choice. Neighborhood-scale homes also provide a path to homeownership.
Support local jobs & economy
Neighborhood-scale homes are typically built and financed by local companies and they allow people to live in the communities where they work.
Give families flexibility
Neighborhood-scale homes like ADUs help seniors age in place and create separate housing to help loved ones and community members in times of need.
Build on what we already have
Neighborhood-scale homes fit seamlessly into scarce urban land, blending gently into existing communities and structures without disrupting daily life.
Great for the environment
ADUs are highly energy-efficient to build and to live in because of their size and ease of construction. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing commutes.
Naturally affordable
ADUs are naturally affordable because they cost less to build. They are less expensive to rent as well.
ADU Starter Homes: AB 1033
An exciting new opportunity
The California “starter home” has all but disappeared. Due to skyrocketing land and construction costs, it’s nearly impossible to build small, attainable homes—leaving young families priced out, an entire generation of renters with no path toward ownership, and employers struggling to retain talent.
That’s why Casita Coalition co-authored AB 1033 with Asm Phil Ting. This groundbreaking legislation allows homeowners to sell ADUs as separate properties under condo rules—bringing back the entry-level home in a form that works for today’s neighborhoods and our current building challenges.
ADU Starter Homes aren’t new—they’re just new to California. Cities like Portland, Seattle and Austin have thousands of these homes, bringing ownership within reach of people locked out for too long.
In California, cities including San Jose, Martinez, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, West Hollywood, San Diego, Santa Monica and Berkeley have opted in to the new opportunity, with many more in progress. How does it work? How can help our communities better meet the needs of families? How can you encourage your city to opt in? Read our info sheet at the link below.
Read ADU law:
The California Department of Housing and Community Development’s website is the ultimate research tool for housing policy.
