Dover city officials said they want to see more housing options available and to help, they have partnered with a local credit union to get creative.The city said one option would be for more homeowners to build accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Currently, a property is allowed to have two ADUs, which officials said is more than most communities, but people aren’t building because of the costs associated with them.”The goal is really to just spur that kind of gentle density, allowing single-family homes to become two- or three-family homes without really looking and feeling that way so that we have extra space,” said Ryan Pope, the housing navigator for Dover.ADUs include spaces such as in-law apartments or additional living spaces in a basement, over a garage or in a separate dwelling built behind a home.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<"Our mission is to impact affordable housing, so when we heard what the city of Dover was looking to do, it was a no-brainer for us," said Chris Saucier, of Northeast Credit Union.Northeast Credit Union is offering a new home renovation loan, which will allow homeowners who don't have much equity to get a loan to build an ADU or undertake a home renovation."It can really be for anything that improves the value of your house," Saucier said.The city hopes that people using such loans to build ADUs will open more housing options in the city, whether they use the new living space for children after graduation or parents looking to downsize or open their homes to others in the community looking for an affordable space."To make sure that as we grow and as we develop, we're executing on the values that our community has and making space for people regardless of their income, age or ability," Pope said.Northeast Credit Union said it has opened the loan up at all of its New Hampshire locations. Dover said it's working with other credit unions and banks to offer more affordable housing options in the city.
Dover city officials said they want to see more housing options available and to help, they have partnered with a local credit union to get creative.
The city said one option would be for more homeowners to build accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.
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Currently, a property is allowed to have two ADUs, which officials said is more than most communities, but people aren’t building because of the costs associated with them.
“The goal is really to just spur that kind of gentle density, allowing single-family homes to become two- or three-family homes without really looking and feeling that way so that we have extra space,” said Ryan Pope, the housing navigator for Dover.
ADUs include spaces such as in-law apartments or additional living spaces in a basement, over a garage or in a separate dwelling built behind a home.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
“Our mission is to impact affordable housing, so when we heard what the city of Dover was looking to do, it was a no-brainer for us,” said Chris Saucier, of Northeast Credit Union.
Northeast Credit Union is offering a new home renovation loan, which will allow homeowners who don’t have much equity to get a loan to build an ADU or undertake a home renovation.
“It can really be for anything that improves the value of your house,” Saucier said.
The city hopes that people using such loans to build ADUs will open more housing options in the city, whether they use the new living space for children after graduation or parents looking to downsize or open their homes to others in the community looking for an affordable space.
“To make sure that as we grow and as we develop, we’re executing on the values that our community has and making space for people regardless of their income, age or ability,” Pope said.
Northeast Credit Union said it has opened the loan up at all of its New Hampshire locations. Dover said it’s working with other credit unions and banks to offer more affordable housing options in the city.