Multigenerational homes and ADUs: how new needs are changing housing in Florida
NEWS
The idea of a house designed for a single family and a single phase of life is changing.
In Florida, new family configurations and different ways to share housing are influencing the way people think about residential space.
The same property may need to accommodate adult parents and children, offer more privacy for different generations or create an independent space for guests, family members or tenants.
In this scenario, Multigenerational houses and DUS They gain space in the discussion about the future of housing.
IMPORTANT
A home for different generations
Living with different generations under the same roof is not a new trend, but it has been gaining relevance.
In 2024, about 22% of the United States population lived in multigenerational households, a percentage that has grown even more in recent years.
This scenario reflects changes in the composition of families and in the relationship with housing itself.
For some families, this means creating a more independent space for an older family member. For others, it can represent accommodating adult children or gathering different generations without giving up privacy.
Thus, the plant of the house plays a greater role in the way the family uses the property.
What are DUs?
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary residential units located on the same ground as a main residence. They can have their own entrance and have independent environments such as kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area.
In practice, they can take different formats: a separate construction in the same lot, an extension of the main residence or an integrated unit to the existing structure.
In Florida, state legislation recognizes the DUAs as an alternative to broaden housing options and establishes guidelines for their regulation by local governments. The possibility to build and the applicable requirements depend on the jurisdiction and characteristics of each property.
When the project needs to keep up with life
One of the main changes is in the way of thinking about space.
An independent suite can be used initially by a family member and subsequently assume another function. A space planned for an adult child may, in the future, receive guests or have another use permitted by local regulations.
This adaptability can increase the usefulness of the property over time. It doesn’t necessarily mean building a bigger house. It means designing spaces that can accompany different moments and configurations of a family.
A new look at the residential product
This transformation also concerns the real estate market.
For buyers, multigenerational configurations can facilitate family coexistence while maintaining different levels of privacy.
For owners, an ADU can expand the possibilities of using the property, provided the project is in accordance with local rules.
For investors and developers, another variable arises in product analysis: not only how many rooms a house has, but what different needs it can meet.
Location, demographic profile, property configuration and demand are analyzed together.
The future of housing calls for more possibilities
The discussion about DUs and multigenerational homes is part of a broader transformation in the residential market.
Families are taking on different formats, and the relationship between housing, work, care and heritage is also evolving.
Residential projects need to monitor these changes without losing sight of what remains fundamental: functionality, location and market adequacy.
At BBG, this translates into different product configurations, including multigenerational homes, independent suites and residential solutions designed for different forms of occupation.
Building tomorrow’s market starts by understanding how people want to live today.
This content is exclusively informative and does not constitute legal, tax, financial or investment advice. The possibility of building or using an ADU depends on zoning, local regulations, applicable codes and the characteristics of each property.
