The Alley Flat Initiative proposes a sustainable, green affordable housing alternative for Austin. The Initiative is a collaboration between the Austin Community Design and Development Center, University of Texas Center for Sustainable Development, and the Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation and works to increase the supply of green affordable housing by promoting the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) known as Alley Flats. We collaborate to help neighborhood-based developers and individual property owners overcome the design, regulatory, and financing barriers to building these small, detached residential units. Currently, there are over 42,000 lots in Austin eligible for ADU development. Development of green, affordable ADUs on these lots could dramatically improve Austin's affordable housing landscape with little impact on existing neighborhood character.
http://thealleyflatinitiative.org/