The Backyard Homes Project
Housing


Partners: Genesis LA Economic Growth Corporation, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Self-Help Federal Credit Union, Restore Neighborhoods LA (RNLA), LA Family Housing, St. Joseph Center, Housing Rights Center, Housing Authority Of The City Of Los Angeles (HACLA)

2018-2023

Los Angeles, CA
We launched a City of Los Angeles based affordable housing initiative that helped homeowners build a new affordable rental Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in their backyard.



Built ADU Example Exterior


The goal was to promote stability for housing insecure tenants, while supporting homeowners in earning reliable income from their new rental unit. Launched in 2018, this program offered a one-stop-shop to support homeowners with technical assistance, including financing, design, permitting, construction, and tenant matching. Other program offerings include free landlord education and project management.



Built ADU Example Interior


Inspired by Sears catalogs and other prefab flat-packed home deliveries from the turn of the century, we gave homeowners a variety of flavors and interior and exterior style options to choose from regardless of unit type.

After the homeowner selects a unit type, they pick from 3 different styles (craftsman, spanish, modern) for the interior and exterior which includes colors, finishes, features, and hardware specifications unique to the kit.



Built ADU Example Exterior



ADU Example Exterior


The program, initiated by LA Más and later led by Office of: Office, was developed to explore the viability of ADUs as an affordable housing option.



ADU Example Interior


Participants that received this support committed to renting to a Section 8 voucher holder for a minimum of 5 years.

The program offered a suite of prototype ADUs in three different styles for homeowners to select from that could reflect the context of their community, or their personal culture.




ADU Design Features


Each ADU design prioritized architectural details, space efficiency, and affordable construction. This approach also helped save the homeowner time and cost in the design and permitting phase.

Check out some of the finished ADUs!



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Office Of: Office
The Preserve LA
1370 N St Andrews Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90028


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