Boise Releases Free Pre-Approved ADU Designs by PARKE Architecture to Address Housing Crisis

The city of Boise, Idaho, has introduced a program offering complimentary, pre-approved architectural plans for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to help alleviate a severe housing shortage. This initiative, announced in March 2026 by Boise's Planning and Development Services department, provides residents with eight distinct blueprints created by the local firm PARKE Architecture, led by architect Eamonn Parke. The designs, named after Idaho state birds like the sandpiper and goldfinch, range from 280 to 695 square feet and include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts, with options for freestanding structures or units above garages. Some plans are tailored for historic district compatibility. According to Parke, these ADUs aim to balance efficiency, livability, and neighborhood harmony, offering homeowners a practical way to increase housing supply while preserving community character. The move responds to a study indicating that only 5% of Boise's housing is affordable for middle-income households earning around $75,000 annually, with a projected need for 20,000 new units by 2033. Similar programs have been implemented in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Cincinnati, reflecting broader efforts in regions like the Inland Northwest and Mountain West to address workforce housing deficits exacerbated by population growth during the pandemic.