HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Last week, Huntsville’s Planning Commission approved a decades-old amendment to city ordinances to allow the accessory dwelling units (ADU), hopeful that it could be a solution to the growing housing affordability issue.
ADUs are called by several different names; granny flats, secondary suites or accessory apartments just to name a few. The units are attached to existing homes as an affordable housing option.
ADUs offer rental income and can provide housing for extended family.
Cathy Reisenwitz, a Huntsville affordable housing advocate told News 19 that the Planning Commission has shown an understanding of the importance of ADUs by approving an amendment to an ordinance that did not allow the units to be built within city limits.
“It’s time for us to get policy that is outdated and out of the way so builders can build and particularly so they can build the kind of housing that low- and middle-income families can afford,” Reisenwitz said.
For the past several months, Reisenwitz has pushed Huntsville city leaders to legalize ADUs to help solve the city’s existing affordable housing crisis.
According to recent market research, between 2019 and 2022, the inventory of new apartments in Huntsville increased by 9.3%, exceeding the nation’s average of 1.8 %.
“If you bring in a lot of people and you bring in a lot of jobs and you don’t build a lot of places for them to live then the demand increases and the supply stays the same and prices rise,” Reisenwitz explained.
Huntsville city leaders know of the city’s demand for housing. In April, the Huntsville City Council approved a multi-million-dollar project that will bring a new multi-family development to the city.
If this is approved by the city council, the amendment to city ordinances will allow structures to be built in three different zones in the city.
“I’m so glad they are joining other cities, tons of cities across the nation, that have gotten rid of their ADU bands and legalized ADUs,” said Reisenwitz. “It’s going to be essential to keep Huntsville growing without the problems that we associate with growth.”
The Huntsville City Council is expected to vote on the ordinance at their next meeting.
You can find more information about accessory dwelling units (ADU) here.
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