Tom & Terra: A Community Effort for Accessibility
In 2018, we decided to return to Terra’s hometown. It was extremely important to be close to parents as they age. A family friend helped us find our home and we decided to build an ADU so Terra’s mom, who has mobility issues, could be close to us.
Friends donated their time and expertise, including a designer and a builder, who helped us develop an accessible floor plan including two bedrooms, an ADA bathroom and a huge screened back deck overlooking the redwoods. We held a community art sale, including art by Terra’s late father, to raise money to complete the project. We also salvaged old growth redwood paneling from his home to use as siding on the ADU.
The property being on a hillside was a major issue and expense. There were also unpredictable price increases, a local labor shortage and unexpected fees. We paid for our ADU using a personal loan, savings, donated materials, and community effort. We recommend building an ADU, but if you do, be prepared to be flexible throughout the process and ready to commit a lot of time and energy.
“Our completely accessible backyard cottage is the perfect home for an aging family member with mobility issues.”
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| Location | Arcata |
| ADU Type | Detached |
| Cost | $295,000 |
| Year completed | 2022 |
| Size | 900 square feet |
