Opinion: Supporting accessory homes will help homeowners like me

People hold signs in support of the CIty of Yes for Housing opportunity proposal during a recent rally at City hall. File photo by Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

By Sade Singh

As a lifelong New Yorker, I’ve faced a long journey to becoming a homeowner. My family has been in New York City for generations, but has not had the chance to build generational wealth through homeownership – a trend that I was determined to break.

When I was growing up, my family always dreamed of owning a home, but it often felt out of reach, and the high cost and complexities of housing made it feel almost impossible. That’s why I worked tirelessly and made sacrifices to make our dream of homeownership come true. New York is where my roots are, it's where my family's story began, and owning a home here is really a dream come true.

But the journey to achieve the American dream doesn’t end with the purchase of a home. The challenges of maintaining a home in New York City can be overwhelming, including additional financial burdens for a mortgage and maintenance. Fortunately, Mayor Adams and his administration are putting forward new tools to help homeowners like me.

The ability to add an accessory home, like a basement apartment, can be a lifeline for people like me and my family. It would be an essential source of income that can make the difference between being able to stay in your home or losing your home. And when older generations like my mother face health or mobility challenges, having the extra space to take care of them can be a game changer. For me, the prospect of adding an accessory unit would mean the possibility of stability and security, allowing me to continue to build a life here in New York City.

But despite these benefits, today outdated zoning regulations prevent me from adding a new accessory home to my property. That’s why I was proud to stand with Mayor Adams to call to legalize accessory dwelling units for homeowners who want to add one in New York. These units would have to adhere to building code and fire code, would have to have their own entrances, kitchens, and bathrooms, and would have a required distance from neighboring properties.

And to help homeowners like me who can struggle with the financial cost of converting or adding an accessory home, Mayor Adams and his administration are offering financial assistance to add an ADU with the Plus One ADU program. Unfortunately, without the zoning changes to allow ADUs, only a handful of homeowners will be able to receive this assistance.

Beyond the personal impact the ability to add an accessory home would have for people like me, it would also address a pressing issue in our city: the need for more affordable housing. It would create opportunities for homeowners to contribute to the community by offering additional living spaces. Legalizing ADUs and supporting homeowners would truly be a win-win for everyone.

These programs are critically important for working-class Queens residents and all New York homeowners. I hope that New York City will continue to support and approve them so that people can have a chance to stay rooted in the places that they love the most.

Sade Singh is a homeowner in Queens.