Governor Healey (D-Massachusetts) shakes the hand of Lisa Adler who lives in an detached ADU in Lexington. Photo: WBZ News Radio / Kyle Bray
LEXINGTON (WBZ News Radio) – A local family gave Governor Maura Healey (D-Massachusetts) and other local officials a tour of their accessory dwelling unit or ADU. Its been a push for the Healey Administration to find a way to create more housing in the state.
Mark and Linda Adler gave Gov. Healey a tour of their new detached ADU also often referred to as a “Granny Flat” or “In-Law” apartment. They built this small home in their yard, leaving their daughter and grandchildren to the big house.
They’ve been living there since May and they’re loving it.
“Right next door so we can help get the kids to school in the morning, and then sort of take refuge in our nice quiet space,” Mark Adler said.
After signing an ADU law last year Gov. Healey is now looking to make building them easier and cheaper. This will be made possible through additional funding and financing plans for moderate to low income homeowners.
“ADUs work for families, they work for communities and they work for our state,” Gov. Healey said. “They bring costs down for everyone involved.”
The state is also launching an ADU design challenge to create publicly available plans people can use for free.
Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus says having an ADU can make a big difference for all kinds of situations.
“Empty nesters looking to downsize while providing home for the next generation,” he said of the types of families that may benefit from an ADU. “An aging parent with family support just a few feet away."
The program is backed by $10 million from the capital investment plan in the state’s budget.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.