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Three Generations Supported​

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It's a story many Bay Area and Central Coast families will recognize: parents whose house has become more than they need, and grown children who are priced out of the neighborhood they grew up in. An ADU let this family solve both problems at once, and keep a working household housed in the community.

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This project was a ground-up build: a detached, 705-square-foot unit with one bedroom, one bathroom, and a full kitchen.

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The design focuses on right-sizing life for seniors. The floor plan gives the parents a private, single-level home that still integrates naturally into a shared family campus, close enough to help with the new baby and far enough for everyone to have their own space.

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By the numbers

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• 705 SF of new living space

• $352,000 total project investment

• 1 new bedroom, 2-bathrooms, and kitchen

• 1 required parking space based on neighborhood requirements

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A model worth replicating

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This Aptos ADU shows what's possible when family supports family. The homeowners get to downsize without leaving the property they love, creating a path to aging in place. Their daughter's family gets a stable home to grow in. And the community gains housing for local workers.

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If your family is weighing a similar move, whether that's a backyard cottage, a garage conversion, or a junior unit inside your existing home, the Santa Cruz County ADU Technical Assistance Program can help you understand your options, navigate permitting, and plan the project.

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