By Sade Singh

As a native New Yorker, it was a long road to homeownership. My family has lived in New York City for generations but never had the chance to build generational wealth through homeownership—a trend I was determined to break.

Growing up, my family always dreamed of owning a home, but often it seemed out of reach, and the high costs and complexities of housing made it seem almost impossible. So I worked tirelessly and made sacrifices to make our dream of homeownership a reality. New York is where my roots lie, this is where my family’s story began, and owning a home here is truly a dream come true.

But the path to the American Dream doesn’t end with buying a home. The challenges of maintaining a home in New York City can be overwhelming, including additional financial burdens for a mortgage and maintenance. Fortunately, Mayor Adams and his administration are introducing new tools to help homeowners like me.

The ability to add an additional home such as a basement apartment can be vital for people like me and my family. It would be a major source of income that can make the difference between staying in your home and losing it. And when older generations like my mother have health or mobility issues, the extra space to care for them can be a game changer. For me, the prospect of an additional housing unit would provide stability and security and allow me to continue building a life here in New York City.

But despite these benefits, outdated zoning regulations prevent me from adding a new house to my property today. That’s why I was proud to join Mayor Adams in calling for the legalization of accessory dwelling units for homeowners who want to add one in New York. These units would have to meet building and fire codes, have their own entrances, kitchens and bathrooms, and be a certain distance from neighboring properties.

And to help homeowners like me who are struggling with the financial costs of remodeling or adding an accessory home, Mayor Adams and his administration are offering financial assistance for adding an ADU through the Plus One ADU program. Unfortunately, without the zoning changes that allow ADUs, only a handful of homeowners will be able to receive this assistance.

Aside from the personal impact that the ability to add an additional home would have on people like me, it would also address a pressing issue facing our city: the need for more affordable housing. It would give homeowners the opportunity to contribute to the community by providing additional housing. Legalizing ADUs and supporting homeowners would truly be a win-win for everyone.

These programs are critical for working-class Queens and all New York City homeowners. I hope New York City continues to support and approve them so people have the opportunity to stay rooted in the places they love most.

Sade Singh is a homeowner in Queens.