u/clvnthbld

I think Michigan has a real chance to legalize ADUs this session. Let's hope the budget talks don't derail the progress.

This one's for u/whitemice Why should we legalize ADUs?

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are livable converted sheds, garages, and home additions, but due to outdated regulations, are banned in many of Michigan's communities.

AARP asked homeowners age 50+ why they want to add ADUs to their property and here's what they said:

55% want a place for a loved one to stay who needs care.

52% want to provide a home for family members or friends

37% want a place for guests to stay

35% want to increase the value of their home, (which is critical for seniors on fixed income, and would cost the State $0)

33% want to have someone living close by in order to feel more secure

29% want to have a place for a caregiver to stay

29% want to rent out their ADU and 21% want to live in the ADU so they can rent out the primary house (again, critically helpful for seniors on fixed income)

13% want to provide affordable housing for their community

That's why HB 5585 is so crucial -- it would legalize ADUs across Michigan where ever Single-Family Homes are already legal to build. Contact your State lawmakers to vote yes on this bill now!

The homes that housed Michigan's middle-class throughout the 20th century were significantly more affordable because they were allowed to be smaller buildings on smaller lots. These were the traditional "starter homes" that gave our families and workforce a footing to build a future here.

But today, the starter home doesn't exists in-part because they're banned out of existence. Unworkable zoning rules often include requirements that homes be built larger than they need to be -- and it's not that large homes are bad. The problem is that smaller homes are banned.

For instance, the average square footage of a single family home in 1950 was 983 sq ft. Today, that size of a single-family home would be flat-out banned in a vast majority of the top 50 municipalities in Michigan. The result is straight-forward: affordable homes are just not legal to build.

The good news is that we can address this issue by simply legalizing the starter home again -- the whole purpose of the Michigan Housing Readiness bill package: HB 5529-5532 and HB 5581-5585. Tell your State Representatives to legalize affordable homes and address our cost of living TODAY!

Data source: AARP Publication: The ABCs of ADUs, Census Reporter, ACS 2023 1-Year, National Association of Home Builders, "Cost of Constructing a Home 2024", Eric Lynch, 2025

BIG ACTION ITEM FOR HOUSING:

We are launching the Action Network platform for immediately messaging your State Rep and Senator with just a few clicks, urging them to support the MI Housing Readiness bill package (attached graphic)

Please take a moment and tell your legislators to support housing affordability!

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/make-your-voice-heard-support-the-michigan-housing-readiness-package