The Florida Senate unanimously approved legislation last week requiring cities and counties to allow accessory dwelling units on single-family residential lots.
The bill, which supporters call a solution to Florida’s affordable housing shortage, would enable homeowners to build smaller secondary units on their properties. These structures, often called “granny flats,” could provide lower-cost rental options.
In Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood, Jeremy Vanderloop has already built a 790-square-foot accessory dwelling unit in his backyard. Originally intended for family members, the unit now provides housing for others in need.
“Helps offset a bit of cost because of the rise of insurance and taxes,” Vanderloop said. “It’s also a blessing to the less fortunate.”
Kathy Williams, a widow who was struggling to find affordable housing after her husband’s death, eventually moved into Vanderloop’s ADU. “I looked at multiple apartments, but by the time you added your rent and all fees, I just couldn’t afford it,” she said.
Williams now rents another granny flat at her brother’s property, her childhood home. “After living here for two years, this helped me,” she said. “I realized that I could live in this amount of space.”
Critics of the legislation have raised concerns about potential strain on infrastructure and changes to neighborhood character.
The bill now moves to the Florida House for consideration before it can reach Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.
Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Google, & X
St. Pete-Clearwater Sun: local St. Pete-Clearwater news at PIE-Sun.com
St. Pete-Clearwater Sun 
Leave a comment