As the reproduction cost of housing has increased, consumers have made intensive use of existing dwellings. Conversions of the housing stock have regained prominence as a source of supply. This book introduces the accessory apartment and assesses its potential as an emerging resource for meeting local and national housing needs.

Although accessory apartments help meet some of the nation's housing needs, they are not entirely without problems. Some of these are environmental problems, such as physical alterations that are out of character with the design and appearance of surrounding...