For upzoning efforts to result in a significant rise in new housing units, cities and states must do more than just change zoning codes to ensure missing middle housing is easy and affordable to build.
A new paper from David Garcia, Muhammad Alameldin, Ben Metcalf, and William Fulton outlines the barriers to building more ‘missing middle housing’ and the benefits of encouraging more construction of this housing type.
Although many cities and states are moving to legalize mid-density buildings, these zoning changes may not be sufficient to result in a large number of new housing units. Design and utility requirements, impact fees, and other factors also have a significant impact on how many new homes will be created.
The paper examines the history of missing middle housing in the United States and the benefits of this type of development, describes findings from two roundtable discussions with developers, and provides several recommendations for addressing challenges.
The authors’ recommendations include: states should assess other development code changes that can spur missing middle development; cities should examine their land use regulations to ensure building codes don’t impede missing middle production; and cities should consider going above and beyond state regulations to encourage more housing production. Ultimately, “parallel policy changes” are needed alongside zoning reform if reform efforts are to provide a real path to boosting housing affordability.
FULL STORY: Unlocking the Potential of Missing Middle Housing
Bill Legalizing ADUs Passes Texas Senate
If passed by the full state legislature, the bill would eliminate local restrictions on ‘mother-in-law’ units.
Burlington Approves Middle Housing Zoning Reform
The Vermont city will allow larger residential buildings and adjust other requirements to spur more ‘missing middle housing’ development.
A Look at Milwaukee’s Zoning Reform Proposal
The ‘Growing MKE’ plan calls for allowing ADUs, reducing barriers to new construction, and expanding the types of housing available in the city’s residential areas.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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