California’s housing crisis has pushed families, investors, and homeowners to rethink what housing can look like.

In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie Goar sits down with Whitney Hill, co-founder and CEO of SnapADU, to explore how accessory dwelling units, better known as ADUs, are changing the housing landscape across San Diego and beyond.

Whitney shares how SnapADU launched during the 2020 shutdown, why California’s regulatory changes created a massive opportunity, and how her company has now completed more than 100 detached ADU builds.

The conversation covers:
• The real drivers behind ADU demand
• Why families are embracing multi-generational living
• How homeowners are using ADUs for wealth building
• The biggest bottlenecks slowing housing development
• Why permitting and utility regulations remain a challenge
• The future of affordable housing in California
• What most people misunderstand about ADUs

Whitney also explains why the most successful ADU projects focus on quality of life, thoughtful design, and long-term planning instead of simply maximizing density.

If you’re interested in affordable housing, real estate investing, urban development, entrepreneurship, or the future of housing policy, this episode delivers practical insight into one of the fastest-growing housing trends in America.

Subscribe for more conversations with leaders creating real-world solutions in housing, healthcare, business, and community development.

Topics Covered / What You’ll Learn

What an ADU actually is
Why California changed ADU laws
How Snap ADU grew during COVID
The economics behind ADU investing
Why multi-generational housing is growing
The biggest construction and permitting bottlenecks
How homeowners use ADUs to offset mortgage costs
The future of housing density in California
Why San Diego became a hotspot for ADUs
How thoughtful housing design improves quality of life
The hidden complexity behind “simple” ADU builds
How Whitney Hill built a niche construction company

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:12 Meet Whitney Hill of Snap ADU
01:00 How California’s ADU law changes created opportunity
02:40 The story behind the name Snap ADU
03:30 Why San Diego became an ADU hotspot
05:10 Who is building ADUs today?
06:30 Community concerns around density and parking
08:25 Housing demand and city capacity
09:45 Why California has embraced ADUs
11:00 ADUs as a wealth-building tool
12:15 Multi-generational living success stories
14:20 The realities of running an ADU construction company
16:20 The biggest bottlenecks slowing housing growth
17:45 ADU design trends and creative layouts
19:15 Whitney Hill on leadership and entrepreneurship
21:00 Yale, NYU, and finding her professional niche
22:40 Snap ADU’s future growth strategy
24:30 Can ADUs help affordable housing?
26:20 Closing thoughts