A woman built her parents a 725-square-foot cottage in her backyard so they could be closer to their grandchildren
A Connecticut woman utilized an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), often called a 'granny pod,' to build a cottage in her backyard for her aging parents. The project allows for a multigenerational living arrangement that keeps the family close while maintaining individual privacy.
Why it matters
The rise of ADUs reflects a growing trend in housing solutions to address the needs of aging populations and the high cost of traditional real estate.
Caitlin Swann and her kids see her parents daily. The Picket Fence Projects Caitlin Swann lives in Connecticut with her family. In 2024, she and her husband built a small cottage for her parents on her property. Now, Patti and Gary Christie live steps away from their grandchildren. Caitlin Swann doesn't have to look far when she needs a babysitter. In fact, she can just walk into her backyard and knock on her parents' door. Swann's parents live in an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, on her Connecticut property. Their one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage is mere steps away from Swann's home. They see their daughter and her three children daily since they moved in. "It's the best," Swann told Business Insider of their multigenerational home . "I pinch myself." In 2024, Patti and Gary Christie were trying to decide where to live.
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