Backyard Housing Boom: New Markets for Affordable Housing and the Role of Digital Technology
March 19, 2024 by “Backyard Housing Boom: New Markets for Affordable Housing and the Role of Digital Technology” by Alysia Bennett, Dana Cuff, and Gus Wendel discusses how new legislation in California has removed barriers to the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs), creating a significant new market for affordable housing. This legislative change, combined with advances in digital technology, is overcoming constraints in financing, design, and construction that have historically restricted ADU production. The paper identifies three main challenges in ADU development: uncertainty, variability, and inexperience among homeowners acting as developers for the first time. The study highlights how digital technologies are facilitating the mass production of affordable housing by providing new tools for planning, design, and construction processes. Additionally, the paper explores the broader applicability of these findings to other states and international contexts.