Mass Clean Energy Center Launches Programs to Help Homeowners Build Energy-Efficient ADUs

The Massachusetts ADU Resource Center will serve as a central hub for property owners looking to build an ADU

The Pioneer Valley ADU Accelerator will give dedicated support to Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties

BOSTON - The Mass Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced the launch of two resources-the Massachusetts ADU Resource Center and the Pioneer Valley ADU Accelerator-designed to help homeowners plan and build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Together, these tools will address the most common early barriers homeowners face, including feasibility assessment, understanding costs, navigating permitting, and finding qualified professionals.

"Accessory dwelling units are one of the most practical ways we can create more housing, lower costs, and help more people stay in the communities they love," said Governor Maura Healey. "We made ADUs legal by right across Massachusetts because we know they can make a real difference for families, seniors, and homeowners. These new tools will help more residents move projects from idea to reality and make it easier to build the housing our state needs."

"Many homeowners are interested in building an ADU but feel overwhelmed by the process or don't know where to begin," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "The ADU Resource Center and Pioneer Valley ADU Accelerator will give residents clear guidance, practical tools, and direct support so they can move forward with confidence while helping communities create more housing options."

The Massachusetts ADU Resource Center is a statewide website that centralizes information to make it easier for property owners to plan and build an ADU. The website includes typical cost ranges and a property look-up tool to help owners understand what they can build and what they may be able to afford.

The Pioneer Valley ADU Accelerator makes it easier for property owners in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties to build ADUs by providing one-on-one support and a curated list of manufacturers and builders who offer repeatable ADU designs and transparent pricing. The program will also gather participant feedback to identify systemic barriers and inform future state policies, with lessons from the region intended to benefit homeowners across Massachusetts.

"Accessory dwelling units are a commonsense solution to our housing shortage because they create real housing options for families, older adults and young people while giving homeowners more flexibility," said Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias. "By giving homeowners clearer information, practical tools and hands-on support, these programs make it easier to move from interest to action and help more communities say yes to the housing we need."

"Making it easier to build accessory dwelling units is an important step toward increasing housing availability while supporting high-performance, all-electric homes," said Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. "These programs give homeowners straightforward tools and guidance, while helping the state better understand how to remove barriers and scale these solutions."

"Mass Clean Energy Center is focused on connecting residents with practical opportunities to adopt affordable clean energy solutions in their everyday lives," said Mass Clean Energy Center CEO Ben Downing. "Through the ADU Resource Center and ADU Accelerator, we're helping homeowners move from interest to action, while supporting the growth of an innovative housing sector in Massachusetts."

These initiatives build on the Healey-Driscoll Administration's Affordable Homes Act, which enables ADUs to be built by right across Massachusetts, and are part of a suite of programs advanced by the state to increase housing options while advancing clean energy solutions.

The recently completed ADU Design Challenge, led by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, resulted in replicable, publicly available ADU Designs. The ADU Incentive Program, launching soon and led by Mass Housing Partnership, will help homeowners access assistance to determine whether an ADU is feasible for their property. MassHousing's ADU Loan Program assists income-eligible homeowners in accessing financing to help move projects forward.

For more information about the ADU Resource Center and the Pioneer Valley ADU Accelerator, visit MyMassADU.org.

About the Mass Clean Energy Center

The Mass Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, increase affordability, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded $990 million in programs and investments and attracted $3 billion in private and public funds.

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