View on Amazon

The Future of Affordable Housing: My Journey with Accessory Dwelling Units

Hi, I’m Derek, and welcome to my 524-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)—my full-time home and a testament to affordable, efficient living. Built in just 90 days for a little over $60,000, this compact yet thoughtfully designed space is more than just a house; it’s a mission to make housing attainable for everyday people. As someone who’s spent 28 years specializing in ADUs, participating in over 300 builds and thousands of consultations, I’m passionate about sharing how these small, smart homes can transform communities and lives.

View on Amazon

What Is an ADU?

An accessory dwelling unit is a legally permitted secondary home on a lot originally designated for a single house. Think of it as a compact, efficient housing solution that leverages existing infrastructure—sidewalks, streetlights, and public services—already in place. In many states, progressive ADU legislation now allows these units to be sold separately through strategies like condo law, fee simple lot partitioning, or tenants-in-common agreements. This means you can build a small, affordable home in a big backyard and sell it as a standalone property, creating housing options that didn’t exist before.

ADUs are a game-changer. They’re the most attainable and affordable housing option in the United States, especially in areas with land available for infill development. By placing these units in established neighborhoods, we’re not just building houses—we’re building communities, one backyard at a time.

View on Amazon

My Mission: Affordable Housing for All

Growing up, my family couldn’t afford a home of our own due to skyrocketing real estate prices. That experience fueled my lifelong passion for housing. My mission is simple: to add more infill housing units across the country and the world, making homeownership accessible for working-class people. ADUs are my answer to the housing crisis—a practical, scalable solution that empowers everyday people to build their own homes.

To refine our designs and keep costs down, I live in these units full-time. My current ADU, a 22×24-foot space with a 200-square-foot sleeping and storage loft, is the result of years of perfecting a simple, repeatable design. We share these plans for free on our website, along with a detailed shopping list of fixtures and materials, so anyone can replicate our model. My philosophy is collaboration, not competition—the more we share, the more housing we can create.

View on Amazon

A Tour of My ADU: Small Space, Big Impact

Step inside my ADU, and you’ll see how thoughtful design can make a small space feel spacious and luxurious. The great room, measuring 22×12 feet with 16-foot vaulted ceilings, is open, airy, and filled with natural light. Light-colored walls and hardwood floors reflect sunlight, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Double pocket doors lead to a versatile room that serves as my office but could easily be a bedroom, complete with an 8-foot closet and a full-size washer and dryer tucked into a 38-inch-deep closet.

The single-wall galley kitchen is a masterclass in efficiency. By avoiding breaks or turns in the countertop and cabinets, we keep costs low without sacrificing quality. Full-size appliances—a 24-inch dishwasher, a 30-inch slide-in range, and a 10.1-cubic-foot fridge—ensure functionality, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The 5×8-foot bathroom features a full-size tub-shower combo, proving you don’t need a large footprint to have all the essentials.

Upstairs, a 200-square-foot loft, accessed by a custom Douglas fir ladder, provides sleeping or storage space. Built over the roof joists of the downstairs room, this loft is essentially “free” square footage—a clever way to maximize affordability. An egress window and 7 feet of standing room make it practical and comfortable.

Outside, a 6-foot covered front porch keeps the entry dry in rainy climates, while a pollinator garden and concrete patio create a low-maintenance, firewise landscape. We’ve incorporated parking, a fenced yard for pets, and discreetly placed utilities like the electrical panel, HVAC unit, and on-demand natural gas water heater. The result is a home that’s sustainable, efficient, and built to last.

View on Amazon

Why ADUs Work: Efficiency and Sustainability

Living in a small space has taught me to embrace simplicity. Less clutter means a freer mind, and a smaller footprint means lower costs. Our 12,000 BTU mini-split HVAC system—a heat pump and AC unit—keeps energy bills low while maintaining a perfect climate. High-quality, low-maintenance materials like nail-down hardwood floors, granite countertops, and slate stone tiles ensure durability and reduce long-term costs. By using low- or no-VOC products, we prioritize health and sustainability without compromising on style.

Privacy is key in ADUs, especially when built near a primary residence. In my design, we skipped windows on the shared wall to maximize privacy and solar access for both homes. Features like underground sprinklers and concrete patios further reduce maintenance, making this ADU a practical choice for busy homeowners.

Empowering You to Build Your Own ADU

Building a house can feel intimidating, but I’m here to tell you that average people are doing it every day. Through our YouTube channel, “The ADU Guy,” and our website, we open-source everything: step-by-step video series, cost breakdowns, blueprints, and shopping lists. Our “How to Build an ADU” series walks you through the entire process, from planning to completion. You don’t need to be an expert—just be willing to learn.

The resources are out there. From our free plans to the wealth of tutorials from other content creators, the tools to build your own ADU are at your fingertips. My advice? Don’t be intimidated. You can create needed infill housing. Subscribe to Exploring Alternatives and follow The ADU Guy on YouTube, Instagram, and our website for inspiration and practical tips.

Join the ADU Revolution

ADUs are more than just homes—they’re a movement to make housing affordable, sustainable, and accessible. By sharing our designs and knowledge, we’re empowering people to take control of their housing future. Whether you’re a homeowner with a big backyard or someone dreaming of an affordable home, ADUs offer a path forward.

Join us in this mission to build a better, more inclusive housing landscape. Share this story, explore our resources, and let’s create more homes—together.

View on Amazon