Want to build an accessory dwelling unit? The City and Borough of Juneau wants that too — and will give you money to do it.
That’s right, following approval by the Assembly on Monday night, the first 16 eligible Juneau residents who apply with the city to partake in its Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program will receive $13,500 to go toward constructing an accessory dwelling unit on their property.
[City considers funding boost to accessory dwelling grant program]
An accessory dwelling unit, often called a mother-in-law apartment, is outlined by the city as a unit that is less than 1,000 square feet large or less than half the size of the accompanying house it shares the property with. They are most typically constructed as additions to existing houses, but can also be standalone structures.
The grant program isn’t a new idea — it’s an extension of an existing pilot program launched by the city in 2015 with the goal of increasing affordable units in Juneau. The decision Monday night both continues the program — which expired in June — and upgrades the amount of funding that can be awarded to property owners.
The $13,500 funding amount approved is more than double the original $6,000 grant offered when the program was created.
The upgraded program has a few requirements in order for residents to receive the grants, the most prominent one being the agreement the unit not be used as a short-term rental for at least five years once occupied. Other requirements include providing photos of the unit’s interior and exterior to the city once approved with a certificate of occupancy.
There was some disagreement among Assembly members on whether the program should require the awardees to not use the unit as a short-term rental for at least three years, or five.
Assembly member Maria Gladziszewski argued that because the program provides grants, not loans, she believes a longer time requirement before the unit can be used as a short-term rental is reasonable. She made an amendment to the increased amount of time from three years — which was the original amount outlined for the program — to five years.
“The purpose is to create housing for Juneau residents,” she said.
Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale disagreed with the amendment, arguing that increased restrictions often result in less housing being developed.
“We need to accelerate housing building, rather than put requirements in place,” she said. “When you put restrictions on things, we build less housing.”
The amendment was ultimately approved in a 5-2 vote. Assembly members Christine Woll and ‘Wáahlaal Gíidaak Barbara Blake were absent.
According to City Manager Rorie Watt, the applications will be received on a first-come, first-served basis and will be opened later this week.
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.
