The Echo Housing/Granny Flat Experience in the US

This article first gives a brief history of the slow progress of echo housing in the U.S. It then argues that the slow progress is not primarily due to the lack of either appropriate zoning or a good unit, since the concept has not taken hold even where both are present. This article goes on to suggest that a major problem may be the lack of echo units available for rent, since concern about resale value may make people afraid to buy. It also points out that zoning amendments to permit echo housing may be more politically acceptable if they propose approval only for echo units rented from a government agency. The article concludes by pointing out that the real estate, hospital, and home health care industries all have strong professional and financial reasons to support echo housing. It suggests that these industries should be used not only to help market echo housing, but also to help get zoning amendments passed.