Star Tribune Article Encourages ADUs for Multi-Gen Living

ADU Life Cycle Diagram

We were excited to find ourselves mentioned on the front page of the Sunday Star Tribune! The informative article, titled “Pandemic Prompts Minnesotans to Make Room for Grandparents“ discussed the benefits of multi-generational living and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Many of our clients are motivated to build an ADU because it allows for multi-generational living. As reporter Kim Palmer stated, “Households with two or more adult generations of family members have been on the rise in recent years. The pandemic has accelerated the trend, bringing relatives at both ends of the age spectrum together.”

An ADU can offer the best of both worlds when it comes to multi-generational living. The most common arrangement we have seen is for the homeowners to build an ADU for their aging parent to live in. Because an ADU has a living space, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, it provides privacy for the parent. At the same time, the ADU’s proximity to the main home allows for all the benefits of multi-generational living, including a sense of community and help with childcare.

Our client, Gail Runge, was interviewed in the article. We are currently working with her to design an ADU for her daughter’s backyard where she can age-in-place. As she stated, “I'm very excited about starting a new life at 80. I wish it could happen sooner."

To read the full article, visit the Star Tribune’s website.

To learn more about designing your own ADU, visit our informative SecondSuite website.

To see our most recently completed ADU, check out the GreenHouse.