Benefits of ADUs They will increase the supply of housing. According to a recent Chamber of Commerce report, Ann Arbor ranks 140 out of 187 on a national scale of city affordability. Average rental costs in Ann Arbor are $959 per month, requiring a yearly salary of $38,360 to be considered affordable. One person working full-time at a living wage of $10.20/hour will only make $21,216 per year. ADU zoning changes are one strategy to ameliorate this problem. ADUs are an effective way of creating "hidden density" within a city and are unlikely to significantly impact the character of its neighborhoods. They eliminate investments in costly infrastructure while increasing the supply of housing. They will decrease traffic congestions and air pollution. Many of the 75,000 to 85,000 people commuting to Ann Arbor each day would undoubtedly prefer to live closer to their workplace or university if they could afford to do so. ADUs will help make this preference a reality. They will provide economic benefits for homeowners by providing supplemental income. Given the high cost of living within the city, this change may help make owning a home in Ann Arbor possible for people who otherwise could not.

Concerns with ADUs ADU ordinances will attract students who will bring down the quality and character of single family neighborhoods because renters do not always show the same respect for their surroundings. In the past, neighborhood associations were concerned that construction of ADUs would transform their surroundings into a "student ghetto" with trash on the ground and loud noise and parties late at night.     - Although it is true that one group that ADUs will benefit is students, those who prefer to live in these neighborhoods will most likely be graduate students. They will also attract young professionals who may not otherwise be able to afford to live in the city.     - The proposed ordinance change would allow only 2 occupants per ADU and an owner-occupied house year-round. The close proximity of the owner to the unit will allow for direct supervision serving as a deterrent to stereotypical undergraduate party-going student. Although the zoning requirements for ADU include requirements about number of occupants, size, and year-round owner occupancy, there is not guarantee that the city of Ann Arbor will adequately enforce these requirements.     - When the issue was previously considered, Ann Arbor considered hiring two more building inspectors. In addition, homeowners would need to acquire a building permit before beginning construction. Both of these regulations will help ensure responsible ADU management, and additional regulations could be added as necessary. Because one beneficiary of ADUs would be the student population, many residents are concerned that this ordinance change will reward the University's irresponsibility in providing adequate housing for its students.     - The University is currently in the process of hiring a new housing director. All potential candidates have cited the need to construct new student housing and have experience in this area.]     - Despite severe budget cuts, the University has committed itself to the construction of a new dorm on North Campus.     - Ultimately ADUs will increase the supply of housing, improving the situation for all people interested in living in the city, not just students. There is already a shortage of parking spaces in Ann Arbor; construction of ADUs will further aggravate on-street parking as well as traffic congestion.     - There are many other important contributing factors to this problem such as inadequate public transportation and commuters who cannot afford to live in the city. Because ADUs will likely be spread throughout the city (rather than concentrated in one area), the traffic/parking impact of one ADU is unlikely to have a significant impact on general neighborhood traffic flow.     - ADUS could even help alleviate parking problems by reducing the number of commuters into the city. Only a small number of ADUs will be constructed, thus the effect on the affordable housing situation will be negligible.     - Although ADUs will not make a huge impact on the supply of housing, it is an important political step towards increasing density citywide rather than focused in a certain area.     - ADUs are a symbolic first step towards increasing density within the city, and combating urban sprawl, reinforcing the effectiveness of the greenbelt.