Putting a Face to the Housing Crisis in Tahoe
March 6, 2025
By Erin Casey
When we talk about housing in North Lake Tahoe, we often rely on statistics — how many units are needed, how many workers are commuting from out of town, how high home prices have climbed. But behind those numbers are real people, neighbors, and essential members of our community struggling to find a place to live.
Take Amy Meierotto, a third-grade teacher at Kings Beach Elementary. Amy has dedicated 20 years to our local students, yet she and her young son live in a small rental where he sleeps in the bedroom and she sleeps in the kitchen. Despite trying every available housing program, she still can’t find a more suitable affordable home in the community she serves. Her story is not unique. We hear from restaurant workers, firefighters, nurses, and small business owners facing the same impossible choice: stay and struggle or leave the place they love.
At Tahoe Housing Hub, we believe that when people share their stories, it puts a face to the housing crisis. These stories remind us that the need for housing isn’t abstract — it’s about the people we see every day, the people who keep our community running. And when we make space for their voices, it leads to better decision-making and more inclusive solutions.
One of the most immediate and impactful solutions we have are accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — small homes built on existing properties that provide much-needed rental housing while allowing homeowners to invest in their property. For someone like Amy, an ADU in her neighborhood could mean a chance to stay in Kings Beach, keep teaching, and raise her son in the community they call home. For other local workers, it could mean stable, long-term rental housing close to work. And for homeowners, it could mean extra income to help cover rising costs.
Unfortunately, ADUs have been an underutilized solution in Tahoe for years. In the past, permitting was confusing, regulations were restrictive, and financing was difficult. That’s changing. New state laws have made ADUs easier to build and local jurisdictions are beginning to recognize their value.
Still, the process can feel overwhelming, which is why Tahoe Housing Hub created the ADU Accelerator Pilot Program. We provide homeowners with free guidance and technical support, helping them navigate design, permitting, financing, and construction. Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible because every new ADU means one more home for someone who needs it.
ADUs won’t solve the housing crisis alone, but they are a meaningful step toward making Tahoe a place where people can live, not just visit. They are a practical, immediate way for homeowners to be part of the solution. And when people can picture who might live in an ADU they build — a teacher, a nurse, a local business owner, a young family — it becomes more than just an investment; it becomes a way to strengthen our community.
That’s why we’re working to bring these stories forward. We want homeowners, decision-makers, and the broader community to understand that behind every housing discussion are real people whose lives are directly impacted by the choices we make. We want to ensure that the voices of those who need housing are heard in the conversations shaping housing policy.
If you’re a homeowner interested in creating an ADU, or if you have a housing story to share, we invite you to connect with us. Visit tahoehousinghub.org to learn more about the ADU Accelerator Pilot Program and how we can work together to create housing solutions that keep our community thriving.
Housing isn’t just about numbers; it’s about our people, friends and neighbors in our community. Let’s make sure their voices are part of the conversation.