Hana Brown and her husband built a roughly $400,000 accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, on their property so Brown’s parents can live there rent-free. The project was designed to give them housing stability as they get older while keeping them close to family.
The arrangement centers on Brown’s parents, Jasmin and Azra Catak, who now divide their time between the United States and Bosnia. According to the report, Jasmin Catak spends about five months a year in Bosnia, while Azra Catak is there for about three months. When they are in the US, the ADU serves as their home base.
The story highlights how some families are turning to backyard homes and multigenerational housing to care for aging parents. Instead of relying on the rental market or other housing options later in life, Brown chose to invest in a separate home on the family property.
The high price tag also shows how significant these projects can be, especially when families want a more comfortable or upgraded space. Even so, the ADU offered Brown a way to combine independence for her parents with the peace of mind that comes from having them nearby.
