Nadine and Jon will never be empty nesters thanks to an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver and the West Denver Renaissance Collaborative (WDRC) are building in their large yard in west Denver.
Above: Nadine in front of her future Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
When the single story ADU is finished in November, Nadine’s daughter, Ariana, 27, her husband, Jonathan, and their three young children will move into the dark blue, three-bedroom home.
“I am looking forward to it because I have three grandchildren and I can’t get enough of them,” shares Nadine, who works as a public school executive assistant. “I’ll be able to walk them to school a block away. And my husband is really excited about having the grandchildren living close by, too.”
Nadine and Jon bought their four-bedroom home in Athmar Park 11 years ago. Nadine grew up in west Denver and loves the people, and the sense of community. The couple still have two daughters at home, Selena 17, and Olivia, 12. Nadine’s mother, Rosalie, 72, moved in with the family a few years ago when a sinkhole from an old landfill destroyed her home.
“Ariana is a stay-at-home mom and will provide companionship for my mother, so she isn’t alone all day,” shares Nadine, who originally planned to have Rosalie live in the ADU.
Nadine found out about the program after a friend of hers went to a community meeting and brought her the information about Habitat and WDRC. Nadine and Jon met the requirements for their lot size, which allowed Habitat to move forward as the designer and contractor, using staff and volunteers to build the ADU. Most families in the WDRC/Habitat program build an ADU either for a relative or to rent out for extra income. The ADU owner or occupant pays a low interest mortgage or rent.
Ariana and Jonathan, an electrician, will pay $1,600 a month for the ADU, which is less than the $2,200 rent they currently pay for a two-bedroom home. “They’ll be able to save money every month,” shares Nadine.
This summer, Nadine and Jon watched the construction from their back door. Nadine shared that Daniel, the construction supervisor, kept them updated on the progress and answered all their questions.
“This wouldn’t be possible without Habitat,” shares Nadine. “I’m building generational wealth for my family because eventually this will be theirs. I am so thankful for this program..”
