 As housing affordability becomes a pressing issue across many cities, urban planners and policymakers are increasingly focusing on "missing middle housing" as a potential solution. Missing middle housing refers to a range of multi-unit or clustered housing types that fall between traditional single-family homes and large apartment buildings. These housing types include duplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts, townhouses, and small apartment buildings. Although they were common in the early 20th century, zoning changes and suburban sprawl have caused them to virtually disappear in many modern urban landscapes. Reintroducing missing middle housing presents significant opportunities for cities grappling with affordability, diversity in housing options, and sustainable growth. In this article, we will explore the benefits of missing middle housing and how cities can promote its development.  Benefits of Missing Middle Housing 1. Affordability Missing middle housing provides more affordable living options than traditional single-family homes, particularly in high-demand urban areas. By offering a greater variety of housing types, such as duplexes and townhomes, middle housing increases the overall housing supply. This helps stabilize prices by providing alternatives to expensive detached homes while avoiding the cost per unit associated with high-rise developments. 2. Diverse Housing Options Many cities struggle to provide housing options that meet the needs of different groups, including young professionals, retirees, and growing families. Missing middle housing fills this gap by offering flexible and diverse living arrangements, accommodating a wider range of household sizes, ages, and income levels. These housing types are also well-suited to different stages of life, whether it's a starter home, a downsizing option, or a family home. 3. Walkability and Community Building Missing middle housing often thrives in walkable neighborhoods, promoting active lifestyles and reducing the need for car ownership. By clustering homes closer together, these developments foster a greater sense of community. Neighbors are more likely to interact with one another, and services such as schools, grocery stores, and public transportation are more accessible, encouraging social cohesion. 4. Environmentally Sustainable Development Compact housing types like those in missing middle developments promote more efficient land use, reducing the environmental impact of urban sprawl. Smaller homes require less energy to heat and cool, while denser development patterns make public transportation more viable. In turn, this helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve land for natural spaces. 5. Revitalization of Aging Neighborhoods Many older neighborhoods have underutilized land or aging housing stock that can be revitalized with missing middle developments. By allowing the construction of multi-unit buildings, cities can breathe new life into these neighborhoods, attracting new residents and businesses while preserving the character and scale of the area. How Cities Can Increase Missing Middle Housing  1. Zoning Reform One of the most significant barriers to missing middle housing is restrictive zoning laws. Many cities have zoning codes that only allow for single-family homes in large swaths of residential neighborhoods. By reforming zoning to allow for duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings in more areas, cities can unlock opportunities for the development of missing middle housing. Minneapolis, for example, has eliminated single-family zoning citywide, allowing for more diverse housing options. 2. Incentives for Developers To encourage the construction of missing middle housing, cities can offer financial incentives such as tax abatements, density bonuses, or reduced development fees. These incentives can make it more attractive for developers to build smaller-scale projects that align with missing middle principles. Additionally, cities can streamline the permitting process for these developments, reducing the regulatory burden that can often slow or deter construction. 3. Promote Awareness and Support Educating residents and stakeholders about the benefits of missing middle housing is crucial for overcoming potential opposition. Many communities may resist changes to zoning out of concern for increased density or changes to neighborhood character. Public outreach campaigns, visualizations, and pilot projects can demonstrate how missing middle housing can be integrated harmoniously into existing neighborhoods while enhancing affordability and quality of life. 4. Partnerships with Nonprofits and Community Land Trusts Cities can work with nonprofit organizations and community land trusts to develop missing middle housing, particularly for low- and moderate-income residents. These partnerships can help ensure that new housing remains affordable in the long term and can address equity concerns by providing housing opportunities for marginalized communities. 5. Utilize Publicly Owned Land Cities often own vacant or underutilized land that can be leveraged for missing middle housing projects. By prioritizing these parcels for housing development, cities can catalyze growth in targeted areas while ensuring that the housing meets affordability and sustainability goals.  Missing middle housing is an essential component of creating more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable cities. By diversifying the housing stock, cities can better meet the needs of their residents, from young families to seniors looking to downsize. To increase the availability of missing middle housing, cities need to rethink their zoning laws, provide incentives for development, and engage communities in the process. Through these efforts, cities can create vibrant, diverse neighborhoods that are both socially and economically resilient. More information can be found at www.missingmiddlehousing.com  Article generated with AI with the intent to inform on the subject.
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