The NYTimes says yes—but even the Chron agrees that the data shows these units are not a very effective way to address the housing crisis.
The California growth machine rarely breaks ranks. As a rule, its members toe the supply-side line: To solve the state’s housing affordability crisis, build everything except single-family homes—the more the better, because according to the “laws” of supply and demand, increasing supply lowers prices.
One of the machine’s favored housing types is the accessory dwelling unit, also known as an ADU, plannerese for granny flat. The state of California allows a city to count ADUs toward fulfilling its Regional Housing Needs Allocation, “based on the actual or anticipated affordability.”…(more)