In Rhode Island’s stubborn shortage of affordable-housing options, there is no solution or effort too small toward addressing that crisis.

And when it comes to providing solutions that not only address the housing crisis but can also keep aging family members closer to their loved ones, square footage truly is just a number.

Recently, Warwick cut the ribbon on its first “tiny home” built in the wake of a new state law that streamlines and simplifies the building of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) within the existing footprint of an owner-occupied property.

The resulting 650-square-foot home — modified from an existing garage and now complete with a kitchen, loft, bedroom and bathroom — provides a place for a local woman to live next door to her daughter but maintain her own space and retain as much (or as little) independence as desired.

These types of creative solutions to our housing crisis, while they will not completely solve the problem, should be celebrated. In this case, it was a Rhode Island company — NE Tiny Homes, of East Providence — that reaped the financial reward of helping the family navigate the fledgling governmental framework and get it through local approval and through construction. That’s a win-win for Rhode Island, and Rhode Islanders.

The ADU law hits way over its weight class in terms of providing benefits and avoiding drawbacks.

For one, ADUs must still comply with all local building code, size limits and infrastructure requirements. They must pass a safety inspection like any other home. If the lot is smaller than 20,000 square feet, they also cannot expand beyond the existing footprint of the home, meaning neighbors won’t have to worry about being closer than they’d like to be.

Lastly, and importantly, the law specifically prohibits new ADUs from being utilized as short-term rentals (Airbnbs, Vrbos, etc.). This is a forward-thinking provision that should ensure ADUs are built for the correct purposes and serving Rhode Islanders who need a place to live.

We understand that the housing crisis cannot be solved by one new law, or by ADUs alone, but for the aging grandparent who can’t afford their home or their rent any longer but doesn’t want to move away from their family, this legislation can make a big difference.