Only four permits have been filed since the city made ‘granny flats’ legal last year.

Months after Cincinnati legalized accessory dwelling units (ADUs), only four permit applications for ADUs have been filed, writes Killian Baarlaer in the Cincinnati Enquirer. However, city officials are hopeful that more homeowners will take advantage of the program as it becomes more widely known and its benefits become more clear.
According to city council member Mark Jeffreys, ADUs, while not a silver bullet, can make an impact on the housing shortage, create opportunities for older adults to ‘age in place,’ and let homeowners earn extra income. “A 2022 study by the National Low Income Housing Coalition found that Cincinnati needs to add 49,510 rental units that are affordable to extremely low-income families to meet demand.”
To address concerns about rampant short-term rentals (STRs) and out-of-town investors buying up homes, the ordinance mandates “the land owner or a ‘responsible person’ who is designated by the owner to live in one of the dwellings and manage the lot.” The ordinance does not prohibit STRs or contain a minimum lease term, a sticking point for some opponents.
FULL STORY: Cincinnati legalized accessory dwelling units last year. How popular are they now?

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?

San Francisco Opens Park on Former Great Highway
The Sunset Dunes park’s grand opening attracted both fans and detractors.

Oregon Legislature to Consider Transit Funding Laws
One proposal would increase the state’s payroll tax by .08% to fund transit agencies and expand service.

Housing Vouchers as a Key Piece of Houston’s Housing Strategy
The Houston Housing Authority supports 19,000 households through the housing voucher program.
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