Hello all,
In the Fall of 2018 I have completed a survey in Manchester of single-family homeowners. I have received 150 responses to the survey and it has some compelling results. I put together the survey as an anonymous response and shared a link to the survey with 2,733 home owners via a postcard mailer as well as through an online survey link posted through various Facebook community groups based in Manchester and Manchester specific pages as well as through the sharing from many notable individuals in the city.
Here is a link to the full survey results: 2018 Manchester Homeowner In-Law Survey Results
Below is a summary of some highlights from the survey findings:
34% of respondents believe the city should take action to allow more housing to be built.
37% of respondents would be please or very pleased if their neighbor were to build and "In-Law" apartment on their property with another 58% being neutral on the subject.
77% of respondents stated they would not show up at a planning board meeting to oppose an "In-Law" apartment hearing.
8% of homeowners noted that they already have an "In-Law" apartment on their property. (If this is an accurate reflection of Manchester Single Family Housing as a whole, that would be 2,400 unregulated ADU units.
45% of survey respondents have considered building an In-Law apartment on their property.
With 80% of those seeking to do so to house a family member.
Half of all respondents were unaware that "In-Law" apartments were allowed in the city of Manchester.
19% of survey respondents would be interested in building a detached ADU if the city allowed such a dwelling.
There is a wide array of interesting and thoughtful responses to the ADU Survey final open ended question. Here are some of the amazing comments from survey respondents:
"I think they're a great idea, especially giving the growing population of elderly homeowners in Manchester. At many planning meetings, there is resistance to raise the funds we need for good schools and services often citing elderly residence who can't afford the increase. In-Law apartments could both provide an income source and possibly a way to have a family member or caregiver live nearby to assist with tasks as needed."
"I am totally in favor of allowing detached in law apartments and would so if it was on a future ballot as a referendum item."
"I like the idea. It would likely spur reinvestment in existing structures, increase population/tax-base, keep families financially solvent, reduce carbon footprint, integrate ages and income levels within neighborhoods, alleviate medical costs and liabilities for seniors/medically unwell. Whether social, environmental, or economic, ADUs would add value and depth to Manchester's urbanism. And it would build stronger communities."
"Big supporter. Diverse housing options are imperative to a growing community like Manchester, including "In-Law" apartments. Having a variety of cost-effective housing options creates a more diverse community, business market opportunities, and better solutions to "aging in place"."
"In the future, I would like to build an "in-law" apartment for my parents, but would only be able to if it were allowed as a detached dwelling. I currently have an existing structure to remodel with utilities and parking to support it. I can foresee my adult child needing to remain under my roof for quite a while."
"My family were Polish immigrants. They lived together as family units, buying triple-deckers with grandma in the first floor and various uncles living on the second and third. Maybe building more of those would be a good idea."
"I have considered building an exterior in law suite for an aging family member. My house cannot accommodate a suite inside the main house so I had thought a separate structure would be the way to go. I have seen tiny houses and “granny pods” that made me think it could be viable. I did not realize it’s not currently allowed. That may be a reason I need to move at some point."
"For some families, this [ADU] option is the only way individuals can have decent housing - especially elderly. This option might be able to prevent people from having to go into subsidized housing which comes out of governmental funding and in essence, I am paying for as well."
You can download and view the full survey results for yourself at the following link: