higher than that of other neighborhoods in the community (through a community-wide property tax reassessment to redistribute the property tax burden amongst the property owners). As mentioned, ADUs can help increase the taxable value of a neighborhood because it is new development within established neighborhoods. Within the region, the City of Stevens Point is the only community to have adopted an ADU ordinance. Live-in Caregiver Exceptions Many zoning codes regulate the allowable number of unrelated individuals living together to limit or outlaw boarding houses within residentially zoned districts. This practice could limit the ability of elderly or disabled homeowners to house a live-in caregiver who is not a family member, effectively forcing them to choose between complying with zoning regulations or receiving the in-home assistance they need to remain independent. To address this, many communities have codified live-in caregiver exceptions, which allow an unrelated caregiver to reside in a dwelling — or in an ADU on the same property — without counting toward the occupancy limit for unrelated persons within residential zoning districts. These exceptions recognize that live-in caregivers serve a distinct and essential function different from traditional roommates or boarders, and that restricting their presence can accelerate unnecessary institutionalization of residents who could otherwise age in place. Conclusion As Central Wisconsin confronts the dual challenges of an aging and declining population, communities must reconsider land-use policies that unintentionally limit residents’ ability to age in place. Accessory Dwelling Units and live-in caregiver allowances offer practical, fiscally responsible tools to support older adults, strengthen family caregiving, and preserve community stability without requiring costly new infrastructure or large-scale residential expansion. By modernizing zoning ordinances to permit ADUs and caregiver accommodations, local governments can enhance housing flexibility, expand the tax base within existing neighborhoods, and reduce pressure on public services and institutional care systems. Proactive policy reform in this area will position Marathon, Portage, and Wood Counties to better meet the needs of an aging population while sustaining vibrant, resilient communities for future generations.
ADU’s to address an Aging Population Accessory Dwelling Units enable older adults to age-in- place within their existing neighborhoods and communities rather than relocating to assisted living facilities, which can be especially challenging in rural areas where assisted living facilities often are in other communities. Seniors may downsize into a smaller ADU on their property while a family member or caregiver occupies the primary residence, or vice versa—allowing independence while maintaining proximity to familiar surroundings and essential support networks as the population ages. For example, adult children can construct an ADU on their property for an aging parent, facilitating caregiving while preserving privacy for both generations. Living near family through an ADU can reduce reliance on costly paid in- home care or institutional care. In addition, loneliness and social isolation pose significant health risks for older adults. ADUs located within established neighborhoods help keep seniors connected to community life – neighbors, walkable environments, and nearby family— rather than isolating them in age-segregated facilities. In the 2022 University of Michigan survey, 19% of adults aged 50-80 said they were confident in their ability to pay for help with household chores, grocery shopping, personal care, and managing finances. 43% of those aged 50-80 were not confident in their ability to pay for those services as they aged. ADUs may offer an opportunity for an aging population to afford long-term care in an environment they are familiar and comfortable with. Community Infrastructure Needs Because ADUs are constructed within established neighborhoods, they do not require new development- driven infrastructure like roads, sidewalks, sewer and water pipes typically associated with new housing development. This means that the property taxes generated from new construction in established neighborhoods can help support maintenance and replacement of the existing infrastructure. Additionally, ADU’s incrementally increases the population density of a neighborhood without the perceived negative impacts of low or mid-rise development typically associated with higher density development. Established neighborhoods do not typically generate any new property tax for a local community unless 1) new development occurs within the neighborhoods or 2) the taxable value of that neighborhood has increased
References 1. National Poll on Healthy Aging, April 2022, Older Adults’ Preparedness to Age in Place, www.healthyagingpoll.org/ reports-more/report/older-adults-preparedness-age-place. 2. American Planning Association, Accessory Dwelling Units, https://www.planning.org/knowledgebase/ accessorydwellings/#:~:text=An%20accessory%20dwelling%20unit%20(ADU,in%20low%2Ddensity%20 residential%20areas.
28
Center for Business and Economic Insight
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog