This year’s AARP Livability Index (https://livabilityindex.aarp.org/) included information about accessory dwelling units (ADUs), often known as in-law suites and guest houses, for the first time.

After all, ADUs may be an attractive aging-in-place option for the 88% of Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 who, in the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, said it’s very or somewhat important to live in their homes as long as possible.

The rub is that in many places, zoning laws don’t permit ADUs.

But that’s changing, and AARP has been advocating for ADUs. The District of Columbia and California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont have passed laws to allow them.

Know that finding or building an ADU for retirement or multi-generational living takes planning and research well before it’s time to move. Start exploring the housing option at:

• Accessory Dwelling Units: A Step-by-Step Guide to Design and Development (https://futureofhousing.aarp.org/wp-content/themes/aarp-housing/dist/ADU-Catalog.pdf)
• The ABCs of ADUs (https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/housing/info-2019/accessory-dwelling-units-guide-download.html)