AARP Supports Madison Plan to Boost Housing Options

On Sept. 16, incremental changes to the City of Madison’s zoning ordinance were introduced at a Common Council meeting in an effort to support increased housing choices for homeowners. AARP supports more options for Madisonians age 50-plus to remain living in their neighborhoods should their current home no longer suit their life stage needs.

You can learn more about the proposals, and register to attend a virtual public information meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 5:00 p.m. by visiting Madison’s Housing Forward website.

Here are our comments about the proposed zoning changes…

AARP’s 2024 Home and Community Preferences survey reveals a powerful and consistent trend: the vast majority of Americans age 50-plus want to remain in their homes and communities as they age. However, half are not confident their community will meet their needs, and many anticipate having to relocate.

That’s why AARP continues to advocate for housing policies that expand choice and flexibility for people of all ages. We see an opportunity in the development of missing middle housing that bridges the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings. These include duplexes, cottage courts, and accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.

Missing middle housing offers more affordable, accessible, and age-friendly options which are all essential to helping people remain in communities they know and love.

We recognize Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway’s proposed zoning changes as incremental steps toward increasing missing middle housing and expanding housing choice in Madison. We’re especially enthusiastic about efforts to adopt ordinances that allow duplex accessory dwelling units and simplify ADU lot requirements.

ADUs play a vital role in addressing a national housing need. 75% of adults age 50 plus want to stay in their current home, and 73% want to remain in their community as they age. ADUs expand flexible housing options that meet the needs of older adults, caregivers, and young families alike.

By removing barriers to ADU construction and encouraging a wider range of housing types, Madison is taking steps to create a more livable community for people of all ages.

We look forward to building on this progress and ensuring that residents of all ages feel confident they can continue to call their beloved community’s home. For additional resources visit www.aarp.org/adu