Missing Middle Housing

View of houses on small street in Raleigh, North Carolina against a sunset sky

North Carolina’s Triangle Faces Growing Pains

The region’s rapid growth and high housing costs are prompting a contentious debate over zoning changes that would boost density.

April 27, 2023 - Axios

Aerial view of gold Colorado state capitol building with green park and city beyond

Upzoning Gutted From Colorado’s Statewide Housing Reform Effort

Colorado’s “More Homes Now” bill has been drastically reduced in scope and ambition, showing the contemporary zoning reform movement still has obstacles to overcome.

April 26, 2023 - The Colorado Sun

Curvy street lined with houses in Issaquah Highlands outside Seattle, Washington

Wealthy Washington Neighborhoods Could Remain Untouched by Zoning Reforms

Neighborhoods with preexisting internal contracts are exempted from new legislation requiring all Washington cities to permit duplexes and other ‘missing middle housing.’

April 26, 2023 - The Seattle Times

 Red brick homes with blooming wisteria in foreground in Arlington, Virginia

Lawsuit Challenges Arlington County Zoning Reforms

A lawsuit brought by residents charges the county with failing to follow statutory procedures and provide accurate information about recently passed ‘missing middle housing’ reforms.

April 25, 2023 - The Washington Post

Restored white two-story historic home with black trim in Roanoke, Virginia

Restoring the Vacant Middle: Creating Middle Housing Through Historic Preservation

How flexible zoning in historic districts can support preservation and create affordable housing.

April 24, 2023 - Maribeth Mills

An image of St. Paul, Minnesota and the Mississippi River at nightfall.

St. Paul To Consider ‘Missing Middle’ Upzoning

Facing an affordability crisis, the city will weigh zoning changes that would permit duplexes and other multifamily housing types in single-family neighborhoods.

April 17, 2023 - Pioneer Press

Aerial view of Montana state capitol building in Helena, Montana

Montana Passes Sweeping Legislative Package to Rescind ‘California-Style-Zoning’

The Montana State Legislature recently approved a package of zoning reform bills modeled closely on bills approved in West Coast states, including the state of California, in recent years.

April 16, 2023 - Business Insider

Facade entrance of typical townhouse with cherry blossom in Seattle, Washington, America. Colorful red siding of two story attached townhouse duplex with blooming pink flower near windows with blinds

‘Missing Middle Housing’ Bill Passes in Washington Senate

The legislation would permit duplexes and, in some cases, fourplexes in residential areas in most Washington towns.

April 12, 2023 - Crosscut

Peachtree Street Atlanta

Metro Atlanta Cities Weigh Zoning Changes

The southern city’s growth is prompting questions about how to increase the housing supply, maintain affordability, and accommodate new residents.

April 11, 2023 - Atlanta Civic Circle

British Columbia residential Neighborhoods

British Columbia Asserts Provincial Control Over Density

The Canadian province plans to override local opposition to loosening zoning regulations that restrict the housing supply.

April 6, 2023 - The Globe and Mail

Dark grey two-story accessory dwelling unit in backyard

Op-Ed: How ADUs Can Ease the Housing Crunch

With the right policies in place, basement apartments, converted garages, and backyard cottages can create a significant number of affordable housing units.

April 4, 2023 - Governing

Aerial view of gold Colorado state capitol building with green park and city beyond

Colorado Governor Wants to Preempt Local Zoning Control

Colorado could be the latest state, following Oregon and California, to legislate statewide preemption of local zoning codes to allow for more housing development.

March 27, 2023 - CPR News

Large historic homes and white picket fences line a street.

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia

Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

March 23, 2023 - The Washington Post

 Red brick homes with blooming wisteria in foreground in Arlington, Virginia

Arlington ‘Missing Middle Housing’ Plan Faces Scrutiny

A proposal to legalize more housing types in northeastern Virginia has prompted vigorous debate among stakeholders.

March 20, 2023 - The Washington Post

Seattle

More ADUs Than Single Homes Being Built in Seattle

Permits for accessory dwelling units jumped by 250 percent between 2019 and 2022.

March 10, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Aerial view of Bellevue, Washington waterfront homes

Washington Could Legalize Multifamily Housing

A bill legalizing duplexes and fourplexes in most of the state’s residential neighborhoods passed the state House on Monday.

March 8, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Aerial view of St. Petersburg, Florida coast with downtown skyline in background

St. Petersburg Could Expand Middle Density Zoning

A proposed zoning change would allow up to four units on almost 3,000 additional parcels.

March 7, 2023 - St. Pete Catalyst

View of Tacoma, Washington with Mount Rainier in background

Tacoma Developing New Housing Policy

The city’s Home in Tacoma plan is designed to address the region’s growth and rising housing prices, but faces local backlash over density and affordability concerns.

February 2, 2023 - The Urbanist

Granny Flat

Pre-Approved ADUs Now Available in Sacramento

The city of Sacramento is making it easier to develop accessory dwelling units.

January 25, 2023 - CBS Sacramento

Aerial view of Decatur, Georgia with cloudy sky

Decatur Moves Closer to Legalizing Duplexes, ‘Missing Middle Housing’

A proposal to permit multifamily housing units in areas previously zoned for single-family homes passed its first hurdle, but requires a second vote to go into effect.

January 19, 2023 - Decaturish

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.