Granny Flat - A Solution for Retirees with Limited Budget

CNBC featured a granny flat built in Oakland by HDR Remodeling on Sunday morning. Jane Baldwin, a retiree from Wyoming, moved to Oakland to be closer to her son. Rather than moving into his main house, she built a granny flat, officially termed Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU for short, in his backyard. This allows her to be close to her family while maintaining her independence and privacy.

The ADU is built with accessibility in mind and comes furnished with all the amenities of a standard house, including a living room, galley kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. The unit was built handicap accessible with hallways and doorways that are wide enough to meet ADA compliance and a walk in shower stall. Jane says, “I look forward to living smaller. I just think all of us, but myself in particular, have too much stuff in our lives.” 

Take a quick tour of the granny flat HDR Remodeling built for Baldwin. 

CNBC's full article is available here. 

Her situation is becoming more common as the American population is aging rapidly with numbers doubling over the next couple of decades, according to National Institute of Health. A 2016 Genworth study projects that 70% of aging Americans will need long-term care. Living at home is a healthier and happier solution than the alternative of a senior living center. It is also a cost savingssolution when comparing to the annual cost of a skilled nursing home. 

Accessory dwelling units are not only for older Americans. Tiny houses and the concept of living smaller or living minimally is a quickly growing trend in the Bay Area as the cost of housing continues to rise. With California law now allowing for permanent accessory dwelling units to be built on private residential lots, granny flats are gaining popularity and city ordinances are easing their regulations for building ADUs. Zoning laws did not require Baldwin’s 400 square foot granny flat unit to have neighbor approval, something that was a cause for concern in the past. Ultimately, this is a long-term solution for multigenerational living as well as a solution for additional rental income. 

If you are interested in an ADU or granny flat, contact HDR Remodeling today for a consultation.