Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s administration announced that municipalities statewide have approved 854 accessory dwelling units (ADUs) during the first six months of 2026, following the signing of the Affordable Homes Act. This brings the statewide total to 2,084 approved ADUs since the start of 2025.
“We wanted to make it easier… to build ADUs because we knew they were an effective tool for building the type of housing people need and lowering costs,” said Healey. “We’re seeing homeowners across Massachusetts take advantage of this new opportunity, whether it’s creating space for aging parents, helping adult children stay close to home, earning rental income or adding another home in their community. We’re working to build on this early progress by giving homeowners more of the practical tools they need to get these projects built.”
The Affordable Homes Act created a consistent statewide standard allowing one ADU up to 900 square feet, no larger than half the gross floor area of the principal dwelling, to be built by right on lots located in single-family zoning districts.
