Elder Cottage Housing Opportunities

Elder Cottage Housing Opportunities (ECHO) provide a way for seniors to live very near their children, but not actually live in the same house with them. An ECHO unit is a separate, small manufactured home that is installed in the side or back yard of a single family house, usually the house of the senior's child. ECHO units allows older adults to get the support they need, while still remaining independent in their own homes, and giving adult children the privacy they may desire. Because an ECHO unit is temporary, it can be removed when it is no longer needed.

Currently, many zoning codes do not allow ECHO housing, while others will only allow a variance for people over 55 years of age. Municipalities can encourage this housing option by reviewing their land use ordinances to see if they support ECHO housing.

Locally, Better Housing for Tompkins County rents small modular homes to income-eligible seniors who wish to live in an Elder Cottage next to the family home of their adult children or other supportive relatives or friends.