Video: Building an ADA-Compliant ADU

LOCATION: Santa Cruz, California
GRANTEE: Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay

An increasing number of older adults are at risk of losing their homes. The top reasons why are housing costs and/or living in homes that are unsuitable for aging in place. According to David Foster, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay, 300 families in the high-cost Santa Cruz area are income-burdened. The Habitat for Humanity “My House My Home” program helps build aging-friendly accessory dwelling units, typically as an attachment to existing houses, so older homeowners can can reside in an accessible-home on their own property and earn rental income from either the new unit or the original house.

• The AARP Community Challenge funds “quick-action” projects that build momentum for local change to improve livability for people of all ages.