Missing Middle Housing
Missing Middle Density Will Take More Than Zoning Changes
Looking for change in the housing supply? "Don't stop at the zoning code and think you're done. There's so much work left to do."
Zoning Reforms Underwhelm in Minneapolis as Development Market Holds Course
As one of the first city's to comprehensively allow for residential density, Minneapolis was probably hoping for more than what it's achieved so far.
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.
How Massachusetts Got its Historic Planning Reform Moment
As reported earlier this month, the Massachusetts Legislature is poised to approve historic statewide land use reforms that would preempt local control of residential development. Here's a detailed account of how the state arrived at this moment.
Missing Middle Housing: Thinking Big and Building Small to Respond to Today’s Housing Crisis
Dan Parolek, inventor of the term Missing Middle Housing, has written a new book on the subject, available now from Island Press. The following excerpts offer insight into overcoming planning and regulatory barriers to deliver the desired housing.
Proposed Single-Family Zoning Reform Would Have a Big Footprint in California
SB 1120 is the latest law proposed in the California Legislature to preempt restrictive local zoning.
The 'Most Pro-Housing Reform in U.S. History' Expected for Approval Today in Portland
The Portland Residential Infill Project is expected for approval by the Portland City Council today, culminating a six year process that became more and more ambitious with every iteration.
Missing Middle Zoning Reform Advances in the Vermont Legislature
The Vermont State Senate voted unanimously to approve legislation that would reduce barriers to more compact residential development. The Vermont House of Representatives is up next.
The Untapped Resources to Add Hundreds of Thousands of New Housing Units
A new report explores the untapped housing opportunities for the region around New York City, and suggests planning tools for adding hundreds of thousands of housing units without building hundreds of thousands of new buildings.
ADU Business Booming in California
The number of Californians adding Accessory Dwelling Units to residential properties has quickly grown during the pandemic, according to industry sources.
Pro-Development Coalition Forms in Connecticut
DesegregateCT is a growing coalition of groups coalescing behind ideas like Missing Middle Housing and zoning reform as a means to improved housing affordability.
What Is Missing Middle Housing?
One of the newest terms in the world of urban planning, Missing Middle Housing has generated a lot of attention in recent years as cities around the United States look for ways to create more housing options in a vast sea of single-family homes.
What Are Accessory Dwelling Units?
Sometimes referred to as mother-in-law units or granny flats, Accessory Dwelling Units are a hallmark of contemporary planning as jurisdictions of all sizes and histories legalize the construction of these supplementary residential units.
Silver Spring Downtown Plan Expanding to Make Room for the Missing Middle
Planners are hoping that by expanding the boundaries of the Silver Spring Downtown Plan in Montgomery County, Maryland, new opportunities for missing middle housing will create new opportunities for housing affordability.
Opinion: Less Restrictive Zoning Necessary for Urban Areas to Lead Recovery
An opinion piece makes the case for pro-development urban planning as a tool of economic recovery.
D.C. Comp Plan Update Includes 'Gentle Density' in Single-Family Residential Neighborhoods
A lot of long-term planning is underway in Washington, D.C.
6 Zoning Keys for Effective Missing Middle Housing
The inventor of the term missing middle housing has advice on writing zoning codes that effectively deliver on the potential of the tool.
Portland 2035 Comprehensive Plan Clears Legal Hurdle
The portion of Portland's Comprehensive Plan devoted to missing middle housing spurred a lawsuit that held up the plan until January of this year.
Illinois Could Force Statewide Legislation of Accessory Dwelling Units
State legislation would preempt local governments that block the construction of accessory dwelling units, known locally as coach houses, to increase the supply of affordable housing options in the state.
Legislation to Lift Local Prohibition of Middle Housing Proposed in Washington State
Washington State is the latest example of a state that wants to preempt local planning law to make it easier to add housing units to single-family residential properties all over the states.
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
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.
