Pasadena Committee to Consider $400,000 Contract for ADU Project Management

The city’s Economic Development & Technology Committee will consider authorizing a contract worth up to $400,000 with Childs Designs for project management services related to Pasadena’s expanding accessory dwelling unit (ADU) program.

The committee is scheduled to discuss the proposal at its June 17 meeting, with the item expected to advance to the full City Council on June 23.

The contract would support the second round of the city’s Second Unit ADU Loan Pilot Program, which launched in fiscal year 2025 with a total budget of $5.185 million in state housing funds. The program combines $2.68 million from the Permanent Local Housing Allocation program with $2.5 million from the CalHome program.

Under the initiative, homeowners receive comprehensive assistance for financing and project management services to construct new accessory dwelling units or rehabilitate existing unpermitted ADUs. In exchange, property owners must lease the units to Pasadena Housing Choice Voucher holders through the city’s Section 8 rent assistance program for seven continuous years.

The Housing Department launched the current round after completing the first phase of the pilot program in fiscal year 2024. The program aims to increase affordable rental housing options by incentivizing homeowners to create additional dwelling units on their properties.

The department has also determined the contract authorization is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the “common sense” provision, which applies to projects unlikely to affect the environment.