Remove Barriers to ADU’s
HB577 will help New Hampshire create more home types for different family sizes and needs.
Today, New Hampshire is facing a dire housing shortage, and it’s impacting communities across the state. Seniors and retirees are stuck in houses that are too big, too hard to care for, and too hard for them to move around in - but are unable to find an affordable alternative that better meets their needs without moving far away. To enable Granite Staters to downsize comfortably and still remain in the communities where they built their lives, as well as support young people just starting out to find a small home they can afford, the New Hampshire legislature should pass HB 577 to remove barriers to the development of accessory dwelling units across our state.
Accessory Dwelling Units (AUDs) are smaller 1-to-2 bedroom homes, usually in backyards or above garages, that are more likely to be affordable due to their size, and are often close to school, jobs, and amenities. In many states, accessory dwelling units rent for 19% less than other market-rate rentals, often naturally attainable for households making under median income. Accessory dwelling units can help support an older adult to move into the same property as family members to support caregiving, or create an accessible, easier to care for home, while they rent out the main dwelling.
New Hampshire law currently allows accessory dwelling units to be built, but components of the law are barriers to people actually being able to build these small homes in their own backyards. HB 577 removes these barriers to allow more families to meet their current housing needs through an accessory dwelling unit.
What would HB577 do?
Allows homeowners to build either an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) by right on their property.
Removes burdensome regulations such as extreme setback requirements, design review requirements, and aesthetic requirements that have limited the effectiveness of ADU regulations in New Hampshire.
Sets a reasonable allowable parking requirement standard on ADUs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
WHAT ROLE DO ADU’s PLAY IN A HEALTHY HOUSING MARKET?
ADUs are a great option for people who need a smaller home - a senior looking to downsize, a young adult just starting their career, or two person households might be a good fit for an ADU. An ADU might be the right fit for an older adult looking to live near their family and caregivers, or for an adult with a disability to live near caregivers and loved ones.
Research indicates that accessory dwelling units rent for 19% less than other market-rate rentals, meaning they are often naturally attainable for households making under median income.
WHY WILL THIS BILL HELP SOLVE OUT HOUSING PROBLEMS?
Accessory dwelling units are already an important part of addressing the housing needs of New Hampshire residents. They are one solution we need among many solutions to address the challenges facing our state.
Creating more diverse and different sized home types helps meet the needs of our changing communities by providing more affordable homes and more appropriately sized homes to people at all stages of life. When we have more housing types and abundant housing options, more people will be able to find and afford a home that meets their needs.
HB577 will address several issues experienced by homeowners when trying to build an ADU on their property since the passage of the law in 2017, including allowing detached ADUs and allowing homeowners to build at least one ADU through a by-right process..
WHAT WILL NEIGHBORHOODS LOOK LIKE AFTER THE LEGISLATURE ADOPTS HB577?
ADUs have been legal in New Hampshire statewide since 2017, and many have been built across the state in communities of all sizes. We know that accessory dwelling units are a great option to add more homes for our neighbors and community members. Adding an ADU isn’t easy - a homeowner must have the right space or configuration, they must have access to a loan or capital in order to. make the investment in the ADU, and they must have either a need or willingness to build an ADU. After many years of experience with ADUs in New Hampshire, HB577 will make some technical changes to remove some unnecessary barriers to building ADUs in our state, and make it easier for private property owners to build an ADU if they want.