COUNCIL’S ADVOCACY HELPING UNLEASH UNTAPPED HOUSING SUPPLY

The Bay Area Council’s advocacy is helping unleash a significant but largely untapped source of affordable housing in the region. On Tuesday (Jan. 5), Council Senior Vice President Matt Regan testified in support of changes to Oakland’s housing rules that will make it faster and easier for homeowners to get approval for second units, known technically as accessory dwelling units (ADU) and more familiarly as “granny” or “in-law” units. The Oakland City Council approved the changes, which include removing or altering onerous parking and building restrictions.

The Bay Area Council estimates that ADUs have the potential to quickly add tens of thousands of affordable units to the region’s housing stock as the Bay Area confronts a massive housing shortage. ADUs also provide an important source of income for many existing residents as they grapple with the region’s high cost of living. The Council’s Housing Committee under the leadership of Co-Chairs Denise Pinkston of TMG Partners and Kofi Bonner of Lennar Urban currently is working on several fronts to encourage more cities to ease restrictions on ADUs. To engage in the Council’s housing policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Matt Regan.