ADUs Are A Commonsense Measure To Create Affordable Housing

To the Editor,

The updated Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance that will be voted on at Manchester’s Special Town Meeting on November 14 creates much-needed diverse housing opportunities. Manchester desperately needs additional housing options. 

This year, the median sale price of a single-family home in Manchester is $1,288,000, a 40 percent increase in the median price from just five years ago.  On the date of this letter, there are six residential rental units available in Manchester with monthly rents ranging from $2,750 to $7,500, a median rent of $4,200/Mo.  Year to date, there have been only 24 units rented for monthly rents ranging from $1,375 to $7,000, a median rent of $3,500/Mo. (Source: © MLS Property Information Network, Inc.)

Rising property values combined with a lack of affordable housing options has forced many seniors to move out.  Those who grew up in Manchester are unable to afford to live in the community they once called home.  Local businesses have struggled to attract employees due to a lack of affordable housing options in Manchester.  The new ADU ordinance will help seniors age in place, enable young Manchester residents to live in the town they grew up in and offer housing opportunities to our employees. 

There has been a lot of misinformation surrounding the proposed ADU ordinance.  I would like to take a moment to set the record straight.  The ordinance will not significantly increase density, create short-term rentals, or eliminate owner occupancy requirements. Please see the following regulations that are built into the new ADU ordinance: 

• All ADUs must be built within an existing single-family house. Construction of new structures for ADUs is prohibited. 
• Minimum 6-month rental duration (no short-term rentals allowed). 
• Owner occupancy is required and an ADU cannot be sold separately from the principal dwelling unit. 
• Cap of 20 ADUs per year. 

Let me further explain the cap, it is highly unlikely that anything close to 20 ADUs will be built in a year.  For comparison, Salem’s ADU ordinance was designed to encourage development, and only seven units were permitted in its first year (2021).  There are roughly nine times more housing units in Salem than in Manchester. 

The new ADU ordinance is a commonsense measure that will create a new naturally affordable housing option in Manchester without changing the character of our town.  It is in line with changes being adopted by many communities across the Commonwealth, both large and small.  Please take the time on November 14 and vote to approve the new ADU ordinance.

Regards,

Jim Brown

Manchester