New York City is on the verge of allowing thousands of homeowners to build extra dwellings in their backyard, garage, or basement.
In a city where reasonably priced apartments are difficult to find, a new type of affordable home may soon be legal.
As part of Mayor Eric Adams' "City of Yes" housing package — an effort to create more housing of all kinds by loosening regulations — New York City is on the verge of legalizing accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in certain neighborhoods across the five boroughs. The policy reform is expected to result in thousands of backyard tiny homes and converted garages, basements, and attics.
Housing-policy experts view the shift as a first step in expanding a neighborhood's capacity for additional residents and a way to create more affordable housing, particularly in neighborhoods dominated by single-family homes.
These homes are an increasingly popular way to boost density without building apartment towers, adding new housing options and income opportunities for homeowners who choose to rent out their extra units. More than a dozen states across the country have legalized ADUs in recent years, and New York State greenlighted the secondary units in 2022, though New York City has restricted them.
"ADUs are a proven tool in cities across the country to support working families with extra space, additional income, and the opportunity to age in place," Dan Garodnick, the director of the New York City Department of City Planning said.
