Navigating housing solutions: Huntsville considers Accessory Dwelling Units amid surplus concerns
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), have been a hot topic to help solve the national housing supply crisis of approximately 6 million homes.
Housing supply is not easily fixed as it would likely take at least a decade to bridge the gap, assuming we were building at the right pace, which we are not. So with that challenge, one proposal that keeps getting brought up in many large cities is ADU’s.
Huntsville wants to be progressive, so it is in the process of making amendments to get ADU’s passed.
On the surface, it makes sense, but probably not today and here’s why.
We’re not currently experiencing the same affordability crisis that other cities are experiencing, so we have the benefit of time on our hands to allow others to get it right and wrong, and learn from their mistakes. We can’t undo the oversupply of apartment complexes that has plagued our city. Let’s not add to it an ADU mistake. 
We already have an oversupply of units to lease. Now is not a good time to pour gasoline on the rental supply fire we’re currently facing. You think all of the apartment complexes on every corner look bad now? Just wait until the owners don’t have the funds for maintenance and repairs because they’re under occupied.
The other challenge with ADU’s is that many residents didn’t sign up for this in their neighborhoods. ADU’s can be an annoyance for neighbors, and homeowners should make the choice on whether they want to live in a community with ADU’s.
Further, ADU’s are more geared towards providing rental options. It’s no secret that home ownership boosts pride of ownership in the city, so I think the number one thing we should be focusing on is housing supply.
And not just housing supply, but affordable housing.
If we’re going to approve ADU’s, which are essentially “Tiny Homes,” why not approve zoning for Tiny Home communities where people can own a piece of Huntsville vs renting it and help provide affordable housing for our local service providers.
For more information, please visit www.mattcurtisrealestate.com.
