ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. Heard of 'em? An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a smaller, independent residential unit located on the same lot as a single-family home, as described by the AARP. Pictured is a basement ADU.  (Images from AARP website)

The City of Altoona has won a $10,000 Community Challenge Grant from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Wisconsin, one of 310 organizations nationwide receiving a total of $3.6 million, and one of six projects in Wisconsin totaling $84,300. Other Wisconsin grants were awarded to two projects in Milwaukee and one each in La Crosse, River Falls, and Stevens Point.

With its $10,000 grant, the City of Altoona will hold an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) design competition to promote their use as a housing solution. The competition will include an open house and presentations of design concepts to help educate builders and the community at large about ADUs.

Examples of ADUs.

An ADU is a legal and regulatory term for a secondary home or apartment, either attached or detached, that shares the building lot of a larger primary home. Sometimes known as a granny flat, an in-law apartment, or a carriage house, they usually have their own kitchen, living area, bedroom, and separate entrance. Common in California due to a recent change in local and state policies, ADUs are seen as a possible solution to the affordable housing crisis by providing more economical housing choices.

“We are super excited to partner with AARP for this opportunity to come up with some great solutions,” said Altoona Assistant City Administrator Richard Downey in an AARP Wisconsin news release. The city will have application materials and contest guidelines available in August and announce the winner in September, as the projects must be completed by Nov. 30, 2023, per grant guidelines.

More information about the competition will be posted on the city’s website at ci.altoona.wi.us. Anyone with questions can email Downey at richardd@ci.altoona.wi.us.