Missing Middle Housing Study Launches in Arlington County, Virginia

Missing Middle Housing, the kinds of additional density that can be added with limited construction on a footprint the size of traditional single-family homes, is gaining momentum in the D.C. region.

1 minute read

August 23, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Duplex

lensfield / Shutterstock

"Arlington County [Virginia] plans to launch a new Missing Middle Housing Study to reexamine its missing middle housing stock," reports Biran Goggin.

"According to the county website, the study hopes to provide people with a general understanding of the county’s housing challenges, what options the County Board has, and what policy changes can create new housing types," adds Goggin.

"The county’s Missing Middle Housing Study is part of two broader initiatives: Housing Arlington and Realizing Arlington’s Commitment to Equity, which seek to address the county’s housing affordability and racial equity challenges."

Other governments in the immediate area around Arlington County have completed similar studies in recent years, according to Goggin. "For example Montgomery County, MD completed a similar study in 2018 while DC’s Office of Planning published a report focused on single-family zoning earlier this year."

After the study, the county could proceed with amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance that would allow for new zoning to allow for the construction of Missing Middle Housing in more of the county.

Monday, August 17, 2020 in Greater Greater Washington

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City