Small Home, Big Impact — Orange County Resident Builds Accessory Dwelling Unit for Friend Using Ready Set Orange

A new home is taking shape in Mary Page’s quiet backyard. While it may be small, covering just 531 square feet, the Pine Hills resident believes the modest space will have a huge impact once complete.

That’s because Page is building this backyard cottage as a surprise for a friend who has spent years struggling to afford a stable place to live.

“She’s in a bad situation,” Page said of her friend. “She was struggling to pay rent. I knew I had to do something to help. So I looked into building a small home on my property.”

Orange County’s Ready Set Orange program made that act of generosity easier to pursue.

Launched in August 2024, Ready Set Orange offers a collection of free, predesigned floor plans for small single-family homes and Accessory Dwelling Units, allowing homeowners to shave time and costs off the permitting process.

Often called mother-in-law suites or granny flats, ADUs are self-contained living units built on the same lot as a single-family home. They can be used for family members or rented for periods longer than 180 days.

Although ADUs have been permitted in Orange County since 2019, many residents still faced hurdles in getting started. Ready Set Orange was designed to remove those barriers.

“There’s been a tremendous amount of momentum for Accessory Dwelling Units, but people really didn’t know where to start,” said Orange County Chief Planner Carter Gresham. “We looked at the process and removed some of the initial steps entirely to help get the ball rolling much faster.”

Gresham noted that the program is also about empowering residents with clear information.

“It’s really an informational initiative as well,” he said. “We want residents to understand our codes and recognize that housing options go beyond large single-family homes or apartment buildings.”

Since its launch in August 2024, the Ready Set Orange initiative has been celebrated for its compassion and creativity in addressing the affordable housing crisis. The program has earned an Award of Excellence from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Florida) and an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

For Mary Page, though, the biggest reward will come the moment she hands her friends the keys to her new home.

“I think it’s a great program,” Page said. “I’m grateful this is available. This will make a huge difference for my friend.”