From left: Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26), Chicago Department of Housing policy director Daniel Hertz and Ald. James Cappleman (46) speak during a City Council Housing Committee meeting on Tuesday.

The city’s fledgling effort to bless the construction of backyard coach houses and basement dwelling units is working just as housing officials hoped it would, a department leader told aldermen on Tuesday — but plenty of barriers remain that hold the program back from its potential to expand affordable housing options across the city.

City officials and multiple aldermen signaled during a committee hearing on Tuesday that they’re ready to expand the program, but some aldermen remain skeptical of the policy.