Granny Flats for the Disabled
New laws, additional options, and creative ideas have made it easier for parents to provide their disabled relative with a safe, dignified, and affordable place to live. In October, Governor Newsom signed legislation that has made it easier for a homeowner to build a small freestanding home on their property or convert a garage, spare room, or unused office into residential space.
Granny flats, in-law units, backyard cottages, or casitas are more formally known as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The new legislation removes many local government and homeowners’ association requirements that previously blocked or slowed construction or forced a homeowner to pay onerous fees for utility hookups or provide additional parking spots. As the father of a severely disabled man, I know it will take more than the construction of a separate unit for him to be safe and comfortable. Currently, he lives with my wife and me in our house and we provide him substantial care. As we get older, we may not be able to provide our developmentally disabled son the physical and supportive care we now do. And that’s where the creative thinking comes in.
At a recent meeting I attended with the Executive Director and Housing Directory of the Orange County Regional Center, facts were discussed that helped me understand how a granny unit could work for my family. If our son is housed in a detached unit, the Regional Center will be able to provide him supportive services that have been unavailable while he lives in our family house. And, we will still be able to have him close. In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) are also available for people with other disabilities through your counties and range from assistance with household chores to personal care and paramedical services. Costs on constructing an ADU or buying a prefab are moderate because you already own the land. The unit could be one or two bedrooms with the second bedroom also rented or used for a full-time caregiver. For families who need financing, their present home might be able to be refinanced. Since the disabled person is living in their own apartment, the person could pay a reasonable rent to the parent/landlord without their SSI check being potentially penalized as in-kind support. If the parent wanted, the parent could put that income into an inter vivos special needs trust to pay for additional special needs the person may have. This is not for all families and consumers, however, it may be a viable housing option that includes supportive care services for many consumers and their families.
*Joseph DeCarlo is the father of a 44-year-old autistic son “Joey” who also suffers from epilepsy. Joey lives at home with his parents and attends Project Independence, a Regional Center of Orange County funded program. Mr. DeCarlo is President of Proxy Parent Foundation and can be reached at joe@jdproperty.com