() A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would make it easier for homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs.
The Supporting Upgraded Property Projects and Lending for Yards (SUPPLY) Act would support lower-and middle-income homeowners by allowing them to take out a second mortgage to build ADUs on their property, fully backed by the government. Normally, homeowners who construct ADUs have to rely on savings or home equity loans.
The bill was introduced by Reps. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., and Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., to help address the national housing shortage.
The bill would help “access financing and provide the flexibility to turn in-law suites, converted garages, and other Accessory Dwelling Units on their property into spaces that build long-term value,” Garbarino said.
An ADU is defined as “a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a stand-alone (i.e., detached) single-family home,” according to the American Planning Association.
Many cities still have laws that restrict or even ban the construction of ADUs, which the bill does not address.
