Your mom just called. Your Dad fell, again.
Not bad enough for the ER, at least not this time.
You know better.
You also know they won’t leave the home your family grew up in — not for a retirement home, not for a condo, not for anything. Yet you feel stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Juggling caring for your aging parents as well as being in the middle of your career and raising a family of your own, with a full calendar that shows no signs of slowing down.
You know you want to help them, but how?
That’s where ECHO housing comes in.
Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) isn’t just a mouthful of government-speak. It’s a chance to keep aging loved ones close — not in an institution, but in a home, on your land, in their own space.
But what is ECHO housing exactly? In this blog, we will take the time to help you understand what ECHO housing is and how it can benefit your family.
What is Echo Housing?
ECHO housing stands for Elder Cottage Housing Option. The purpose of these homes is to offer an affordable housing option to those 60+ on their property, or on the land of a family member or friend.
The most important thing to keep in mind with this type of housing is that it is intended for a temporary purpose, such as caring for an elderly person or providing housing for a caregiver (depending on your local regulations). This means that when there is no person living in the ECHO house for its intended purpose, it should be removed from the property.
What Buildings Can Be Used As ECHO Housing?
ECHO housing is a unique solution because these units are designed to be temporary. With that in mind, virtually any building offered by Zook Cabins could be used as an ECHO unit—provided it can be removed when the elderly resident or caregiver no longer needs it.
Take a look at the housing styles below to see which option best fits your needs.
Park Model Tiny Homes
Park model tiny homes are a strong option for ECHO housing—if permitted in your area—for several key reasons.
First, they require minimal space. Each unit is under 400 square feet but still includes at least one full bedroom, a bathroom, and a functional kitchen area.
Built on a chassis, these homes are easy to relocate when needed. Unlike traditional mobile homes, park models can be resold to campgrounds or individuals looking for a small cabin on private or recreational land.
They also don’t require a permanent foundation. A park model can sit on a 4–6 inch gravel pad instead of a costly concrete base. Alternatively, if you already have a poured concrete pad (such as one used for a garage or camper), it may also be suitable—provided the park model fits the space.
Lastly, these units are energy-efficient. At Zook Cabins, our park model homes can operate on just 100 amps of electrical service. With the appropriate setup, they can often be powered through a subpanel connected to the main home’s breaker box.
With their compact size, comfortable layout, and flexible setup, park model tiny homes offer a practical and convenient option for your ECHO housing project.
Mobile Homes (HUD)
Mobile homes are the most popular building option for ECHO use. This is because, like park models, they do not require extensive infrastructure to be placed on the property. However, unlike park model homes, a mobile home, like our Sonoma, can be built to be larger in size. Additionally, mobile homes are a great option for ECHOS, as most zoning ordinances are familiar with them for the purpose of ECHOs. In fact, because so many people are familiar with mobile homes being used for ECHOs you may be able to retain more of your investment when trying to resell the unit after you are completed with it.
Modular Homes
Modular homes are another great option for use as an ECHO home. These homes are built to meet or exceed your local building standards. This means that your home will always be in compliance to what your zoning board requires. However, one drawback to these homes is that they must be on a more permanent foundation, such as a poured pier foundation. However, the expense of foundational needs that are required may be outweighed by the fact that you can have so many options for home styles. For example, at Zook Cabins, we offer both log cabins and modern-style cabins in full-size as well as full ADU-sized line.
Who Can Live In an ECHO House?
Only people who are 60 years of age and older are eligible to live in a home that is designated as an ECHO house. In some areas, there may be homes that people with disabilities occupy, but they do not fit the technical definition of an ECHO. IF you need further varificatino of who can live in the ECHO that you desire to place on your property, contact you local zoning office.
What kind of foundation does an ECHO house need to be placed on?
Each type of ECHO house will need a different kind of foundation based on the type of home that is placed on the land. However, with these being temporary housing options, it would be best to talk with your ECHO home builder and zoning board to see what is the most cost effective, yet permitted, foundation.
If you need some ideas on where to get started we have a blog that serves as a manufactured home foundation guide that breaks down the cost of each foundation style. But, for a quick look, at what each style of home needs for a foundation, take a look at the table below:
| Building Style | Foundation Style |
| Park Model | 4-6″ Gravel or Cement Pad |
| Mobile Home | Poured Pier Foundation |
| Modular ADUs | Poured Pier (As this is For Temporary Placement) |
| Modern and Log Modular Homes | Poured Pier (As this is For Temporary Placement) |
If you aren’t sure what foundation will be best for your ECHO home, talk with your General Contractor and they will be able to help you make the best decision for your situation.
Are There Size Requirements for the home that I can use for ECHO?
The size of your ECHO will depend on your local municipality. For example, in some places, they focus on the overall size of your ECHO, ensuring it does not exceed 1,250 square feet. In other areas, they focus more on the minimum size of the unit, stating that it must be at least 650 square feet. All in all, it is best to check with your local zoning office to determine the sizing requirements for your ECHOs.
Do I Need A Permit to have an ECHO home on my property?
Yes. You will need to have an approval permit to have an ECHO on your property. To obtain the proper permit for your ECHO home, we recommend contacting your local zoning board or municipal office, as different governing agencies oversee the licenses in other states.
For example, in the state of Pennsylvania, you would contact the Area Agency on Aging. Yet, in other states, the offices overseeing the ECHO program are governed differently.
How Are ECHO Homes Different Than an ADU?
ECHO homes and ADUs may look similar from the outside, but they serve very different purposes—and understanding those differences matters.
An ECHO home is designed with one thing in mind: care. It’s a temporary structure placed on a property to provide a safe, affordable space for an aging loved one who needs support—or for a caregiver who’s there to give it. It’s about meeting someone where they are in life, with dignity and intention.
ADUs, by contrast, are built for flexibility. They can house anyone—regardless of age or need—and they’re permanent. Once built, they’re meant to stay. That permanence brings different planning, different costs, and often, a different purpose altogether.
Then there’s the financial side. ECHO homes are intentionally affordable, especially for those over 60. Rent is capped at 30% of the resident’s income—because the goal is stability, not profit. ADUs don’t have that cap, and rent can be set at market rate, allowing you to earn a profit from your investment.
However, our ADU building styles can be an excellent fit for your ECHO housing needs.
Can younger people with disabilities qualify for ECHO housing?
It is unclear whether an ECHO housing unit can be used to house those with disabilities instead of the elderly. Generally speaking, ECHOs were not designed to house family members with disabilities; however, the tides seem to be changing on this issue.
The idea behind this provision is that your disabled family member can be supervised and “independently live” without being placed in an institutionalized setting.
Is there a max room count for ECHO Housing?
It is dependent upon your local zoning code as to how many rooms may be allowed in your ECHO unit. For example, in Will County, Illinois, you may have up to two bedrooms. On the other hand, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, only allows one bedroom in your ECHO unit. In other areas, it is more closely related to the overall size of your ECHO, rather than the room count. For this reason, it is best to contact the governing body for ECHO units in your area..
Are there land size requirements for ECHO Housing?
Yes, there are land size requirements for ECHO Housing units. However, as with all things related to ECHOS, each municipality will differ in the amount of land that is required. To understand the requirements for having an ECHO unit on your property, contact your local municipality, as they will have the best information to address your needs.
Will having an ECHO home increase My Property Insurance?
Yes, adding an ECHO home to your property will likely result in an increase in your property insurance. And that makes sense—any time you add a new structure, especially one where someone will live, there are new risks to account for. You want to make sure you’re protected—both physically and financially—if something goes wrong.
So, even though ECHO homes are designed to be temporary, insuring them is an investment in peace of mind—for you, and for the person you’re building it for.
Do ECHO Homes Increase My Property Value?
It’s not entirely clear whether adding an ECHO home will increase the market value of your property. That’s because these homes are designed to be temporary or semi-permanent structure.
Once the person living in the ECHO home no longer needs it, the structure is meant to be removed. So unlike a traditional addition or a permanent ADU, it doesn’t automatically add long-term value to the property in the eyes of an appraiser.
While that may not raise the property’s market value, it can raise the quality of life for your family in ways that are hard to put a price on.
On the other hand, if you’re listing your property and it already includes an ECHO home, it could be especially appealing to the right buyer—particularly a family looking for housing that supports aging parents or loved ones who need care close by.
Can I keep my ECHO if I do not meet the criteria for ECHO usage?
If you wish to keep the ECHO home on your property after the original need has passed, it may be possible—but it will depend entirely on your local municipality and zoning laws.
In some cases, you can work with your city or county to reclassify the ECHO unit as a permanent Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). This could allow the structure to stay in place and be used more flexibly going forward.
However, it’s essential to understand that having an ECHO permit does not automatically guarantee approval for an ADU. The transition requires a separate review and approval process, which may involve additional requirements—such as upgrades to meet building codes, utility connections, parking regulations, or design standards.
If the transition is allowed, you’ll likely need to submit a new application and bring the unit into full compliance with all ADU regulations. It’s a possibility—but not a promise—so starting a conversation with your local planning department early is a wise move.
Conclusion…
ECHO housing is a bit of a unique fit when it comes to housing those we love. However, havign an ECHO placed on your property will allow you the unique opprotunity to make some income and provide housing for those who otherwise would need to live in an institution. When you are ready to have an ECHO placed on your home, contact us and we would be happy to help you select the proper home for your needs.