John Gonsalves Founder | Bay State ADU Builders

Founder | Bay State ADU Builders

John Gonsalves is a Massachusetts-based builder, housing advocate, and nonprofit founder with decades of experience designing and delivering high-quality, accessible residential housing. He is the founder of Bay State ADU Builders, a construction company specializing in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) for both standard residential use and fully ADA-compliant, accessible living.

John is best known as the founder of Homes For Our Troops, one of the nation’s most respected nonprofit organizations dedicated to building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes for severely wounded veterans. Through that work, John helped pioneer modern standards for accessible residential construction, emphasizing independence, dignity, and long-term livability. His efforts have impacted communities in more than 30 states, setting benchmarks for quality and thoughtful design.

John’s leadership and service have been recognized nationally, including acknowledgment by President George W. Bush, as well as honors such as the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service, the Zachary & Elizabeth Fisher Humanitarian Award, and the Massachusetts National Guard Minuteman Award, among others. His work has been featured by CNN, The New York Times, and on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

With Bay State ADU Builders, John brings this deep experience home to Massachusetts — applying proven construction practices to help families create smart, durable, and adaptable living spaces. The company focuses on ADUs that support:

• Multigenerational living
   
• Aging-in-place solutions
   
• Fully ADA-accessible and universal design
   

Bay State ADU Builders is built on the belief that good housing should be functional, respectful, and future-ready. John’s approach combines craftsmanship, code expertise, and real-world accessibility knowledge to deliver ADUs that serve both today’s needs and tomorrow’s realities.