Analyzing Variations in Characteristics between Jurisdictions That Regulate Small, Affordable Housing Solutions in the United States

Abstract

This study analyzes demographic, socioeconomic, housing, and regional characteristics of jurisdictions that permit versus do not permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs), tiny homes, and mobile homes. I use descriptive statistics and t-tests and find large differences between jurisdictions that permit versus do not permit ADUs, modest differences between jurisdictions that permit versus do not permit tiny homes, and somewhat large differences between jurisdictions that permit versus do not permit mobile homes. Jurisdictions that permit ADUs have high proportions of Asians and Hispanics/Latinos and jurisdictions that permit mobile homes have high proportions of Hispanics/Latinos, showing racial and ethnic bifurcation.