Granny flats, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), have emerged as a potential solution to alleviate the U.S. housing shortage.The small, self-contained living units are typically located on the same property as a main residential structure and provide an additional dwelling space. The name "granny flats" originated from their historical use as homes for elderly family members, particularly grandmothers, who wanted to stay close to their loved ones while still enjoying a degree of independence. But they're not just for the elderly anymore.The U.S. housing crisis is a pressing issue, with a shortage of affordable homes affecting various aspects of Americans' lives and livelihoods. One significant factor contributing to the crisis has been the limited availability of homes, which has prevented housing prices from experiencing significant declines despite Federal Reserve interest rate hikes that resulted in soaring mortgage costs.The scarcity of affordable housing has far-reaching implications

As it expands its ADU platform to Seattle, Cottage's latest market report reveals an acceleration of ADU demand, higher on a per capita basis than any California metro.SAN FRANCISCO, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cottage, the fastest-growing company in the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) space, today announced its expansion to Seattle with the release of its latest ADU Impact Report . Having delivered over 100 custom ADUs through its hassle-free, end-to-end process, Cottage brings its proven model to the greater Seattle area amidst a major housing shortage and skyrocketing demand for ADUs and DADUs, also commonly referred to as granny flats, in-law units, backyard homes, or guest cottages.In its latest ADU Impact Report , Cottage highlights how Seattle's ADU boom outpaces growth anywhere in California. With a 25% year-over-year increase in ADU permit applications in 2022, Seattle metro had more than 2x the permits submitted per capita than San Diego and the Bay Area, and 72% more than Los Angeles. However, there is a significant gap in the number of projects that start the ADU permitting process and those that complete construction. Leveraging its streamlined solution for custom ADUs, Cottage sees the opportunity to help more Seattle homeowners complete their ADU project – thus adding much-needed housing for the region.With a 25% year-over-year increase in ADU permits submitted in 2022, Seattle's ADU growth outpaces all California markets Tweet this"We're thrilled to expand to Seattle, where we've seen an uptick in ADU demand," said Alex Czarnecki, the Founder & CEO of Cottage. "Seattle homeowners have long seen the benefits of ADUs for making room for family or generating rental income, and new regulatory changes provide a smart framework for ADU development