Despite housing shortage, Berkshires slow to embrace ADUs — here’s why

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PITTSFIELD — Massachusetts homeowners have rushed to take advantage of the state’s new accessory dwelling unit law, filing 844 applications in five months. But in Berkshire County, which needs thousands of housing units, only six people applied.

Applications for accessory dwelling units — which is a rentable in-law suite a homeowner builds on their property — has risen since Gov. Maura Healey and her administration made a heavy push for the units (also known as ADUs). The administration believes ADUs could provide a quick injection of housing supply. The Healey administration estimated as many as 10,000 units could be built in five years.

But that lofty prediction isn’t exactly coming true, as residents living in areas that are in need of housing aren’t rushing to build ADUs. And in the Berkshires, there are good reasons for that, like cost and lack of awareness around programs to help homeowners build the units.

But some still think ADUs will aid in relieving some of the pressure of the housing shortage and people will still build them.

Read the full article on BerkshireEagle.com