Be Neighbor Pattern

Jul 2020

Be my Neighbor

Untapped Housing Solutions: ADUs and Conversions

We can create hundreds of thousands of new homes in the region just by allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and conversions of large single-family homes to two- or three-family homes.

We can create hundreds of thousands of new homes in the region just by allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and conversions of large single-family homes to two- or three-family homes, most of which would be in areas near transit.

Single family Zone Be My Neighbor Report
Untapped Render Paterson After TOD development update3
Two of the most commonly heard concerns in our region are that traffic is unbearable and homes are too expensive to buy or rent. The answer to these two problems seems simple: build neighborhoods with less expensive homes where cars are needed less. The types of development that produce these kinds of neighborhoods is generally known as Transit-Oriented Development – or TOD. TOD can encompass many types of buildings – ranging from neighborhood…
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Ariel Celeste shutterstock 752845084 Be My Neighbor Report

Ariel Celeste

Radclifffe Dacanay 2276499256 70c199ecb7 o Be My Neighbor Report cropped

Radclifffe_Dacanay

1

Key Recommendations

2

Land Use and Segregation

Segregation Opportunty in Housing 1967 Regional Plan Association
Housing segregation in our region did not happen by chance. It is the result of accumulated policy decisions over multiple generations.
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3

What are ADUs and Conversions?

ADU Examples Be My Neighbor5 ADU Examples Be My Neighbor3 ADU Examples Be My Neighbor2 ADU on site ADU Examples Be My Neighbor1
Housing Typology Squares 04
Housing Typology Squares 06
Housing Typology Squares 03
Housing Typology Squares 07
Housing Typology Squares 05
Housing Typologies edited 01
Housing Typologies edited 03
4

Regional Potential and Recommendations

Be My Neigbor Static Chart 7

If just one third of the region’s single-family homes located in these transit-oriented areas were to add additional units through conversion or an ADU retrofit, more than 250,000 homes could be created.

Aging In Place Be my neighbor
Case Studies Be My Neighbor
5

New York City Potential and Recommendations

Be My Neigbor Static Chart 10
Zoned One Family Lefferts isolated Be My Neighbor Report2

Just by allowing accessory dwelling units or conversions in large single-family and two-family houses, NYC can potentially create more than 100,000 new homes.

Be My Neigbor Static Chart 13
6

Debunking Misconceptions About Increased Density

Next Steps

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to:

Rob Lane
Senior Fellow for Urban Design
Renae Widdison
Former Intern Planner
Christopher Jones
SVP & Chief Planner
Kate Slevin
SVP, State Programs & Advocacy
Dave Zackin
Graphic Designer
Christina Kata
Special Projects Associate
Lauren Tsuboyama
Director of Communications

Funded By

PNC Foundation

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