Eight Conversations with Durham, NC Homeowners About Accessory Dwelling Units and Affordable Housing
As part of exploring the barriers that exist to the widespread use of backyards as sites for new affordable housing, a pre-engineered accessory dwelling unit company, BSIDE Homes obtained a grant from Volunteers of America to do a series of focus group conversations in neighborhoods throughout Durham, NC. The goal of these conversations was to 1) Identify which benefits of building accessory dwelling units (ADUs) most resonate with homeowners; 2) Identify common barriers that prevent homeowners from building ADUs; and 3) Test the concept of incentivizing homeowners to build ADUs for at-risk populations, such as veterans at risk of homelessness.
BSIDE Homes conducted eight focus groups with 44 participants from June to September 2023. Our approach to locating, scheduling, and recruiting participants for these groups was varied and broad but included emails to neighborhood listservs, attending community meetings, and networking with neighborhood association representatives. We followed up with any person who expressed interest in hosting or participating in a focus group. No demographic survey was conducted, but participation ended up being largely (around two-thirds) African-American women who own one or more homes in Durham. The groups were hosted by homeowners in the following neighborhoods: Lakewood Park, Morehead Hill, Gorman; North Street; and Braggtown. Additionally, two focus groups were held at the Lyon Park Community Family Life and Recreation Center. While the focus groups were held in specific neighborhoods, participants in each came from across the city.