How ʼMissing Middleʼ Housing Could Ease Affordability Squeeze

Last updated Mar. 3, 2025 by Charles Zemub

Housing affordability has become one of the most pressing issues facing urban centers today. As the gap between the supply of suitable housing options and the demand for affordable living spaces widens, many communities are left struggling to find adequate and affordable housing solutions. One potential answer to this growing crisis lies in a concept known as ‘Missing Middle’ housing. This term refers to a range of multi-unit housing types that are compatible in scale with single-family homes and existing communities. By exploring this concept more deeply, we can uncover how ‘Missing Middle’ housing could offer a sustainable and practical solution to the affordability squeeze experienced by so many cities.

Understanding ‘Missing Middle’ Housing

‘Missing Middle’ housing encompasses a variety of housing types that were commonly built in the early 20th century but have largely disappeared from the modern urban landscape. They include duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, courtyard apartments, and other small-scale multi-unit buildings. These housing types are designed to be compatible with the size and scale of single-family neighborhoods, offering a diversified range of living options for different household sizes and income levels.

The term ‘Missing Middle’ was coined by architect and urban planner Daniel Parolek, highlighting the absence of these housing types in contemporary urban planning. As cities expanded in the post-war era, zoning laws began to favor large-scale apartment complexes and single-family homes while deterring the development of these medium-density structures. The result is a significant gap in housing options, contributing to the current affordability challenge.

Addressing the Affordability Crisis

The affordability crisis in housing is characterized by the increasing difficulty for individuals and families to find housing within their financial means. This crisis is driven by several interrelated factors, including population growth, income stagnation, high construction costs, and restrictive zoning laws. ‘Missing Middle’ housing could play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges for several reasons:

1. Diversifying Housing Stock

By introducing ‘Missing Middle’ housing, cities can diversify their housing stock, offering more options for different types of households. These housing types cater to a broad demographic, from young professionals and small families to seniors and single occupants. By providing options beyond the typical single-family home or high-rise apartment, ‘Missing Middle’ housing can better match the varied needs and budgets of today’s urban dwellers.

2. Increasing Density Responsibly

‘Missing Middle’ housing strategically increases urban density without drastically altering neighborhood character. Unlike high-rises, which can dominate skylines, ‘Missing Middle’ housing blends seamlessly into residential areas, preserving the aesthetic while increasing the number of available housing units. This helps alleviate the strain on housing markets by making efficient use of existing urban land.

3. Supporting Walkable Communities

These housing types often support walkable communities, reducing the reliance on automobiles and fostering vibrant local economies. By integrating ‘Missing Middle’ housing into existing neighborhoods, residents can access amenities, schools, parks, and jobs without the necessity of long commutes, which contributes to lower living expenses and a higher quality of life.

4. Facilitating Mixed-Income Neighborhoods

‘Missing Middle’ housing can contribute to the creation of mixed-income neighborhoods by encompassing a range of price points within a community. This integration can diminish economic segregation and support diverse, resilient communities where people from various economic backgrounds live, work, and thrive together.

5. Reducing Construction Costs

Compared to high-rise buildings, ‘Missing Middle’ housing types generally have lower construction costs per unit. Their more straightforward design and utilization of existing infrastructure can make them more financially feasible for developers, leading to lower overall development costs and ultimately more affordable rents and purchase prices.

Implementing ‘Missing Middle’ Housing

To effectively implement ‘Missing Middle’ housing, cities must address several key issues, including zoning regulations, community acceptance, and infrastructure capacity.

1. Reforming Zoning Laws

Many current zoning laws limit the construction of multi-family housing, effectively prohibiting ‘Missing Middle’ housing in many neighborhoods. Comprehensive zoning reform is necessary to allow these housing types and promote more equitable growth. Cities should amend zoning regulations to accommodate ‘Missing Middle’ housing while ensuring compatibility with existing neighborhoods.

2. Encouraging Community Engagement

Introducing new housing types often meets resistance from residents concerned about the impact on neighborhood character, property values, and infrastructure. Engaging community members in the planning process can ease these concerns by focusing on design quality, preserving neighborhood aesthetics, and ensuring the benefits of increased housing options are widely understood and appreciated.

3. Ensuring Infrastructure Capacity

Adding more housing units requires adequate infrastructure to support new residents, including public transportation, schools, water, and sewer systems. Cities should assess and upgrade infrastructure as needed to accommodate growth without compromising service quality.

4. Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships

Public-private partnerships can help facilitate the development of ‘Missing Middle’ housing by pooling resources, expertise, and risk. Municipal governments can offer incentives to developers, such as tax breaks or expedited permitting processes, to encourage the construction of these housing types.

FAQs

What exactly is ‘Missing Middle’ housing?

‘Missing Middle’ housing refers to a range of housing types that include duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, and courtyard apartments. These are medium-density options that fit between single-family homes and high-rise apartments, and are designed to fit well within the scale of traditional neighborhoods.

How does ‘Missing Middle’ housing improve housing affordability?

‘Missing Middle’ housing increases the availability of diverse housing options in areas often dominated by single-family homes. It allows for strategic increases in density that are more cost-effective to build, which can result in more affordable housing options for different income levels.

Why is ‘Missing Middle’ housing important now?

As cities face increasing housing affordability issues, the demand for diverse living arrangements grows. ‘Missing Middle’ housing provides various options for households of all sizes and income levels, easing the pressure on housing markets and supporting vibrant, diverse communities.

What are some challenges to implementing ‘Missing Middle’ housing?

Key challenges include restrictive zoning laws, community resistance, and ensuring adequate infrastructure capacity. Overcoming these challenges requires zoning reforms, effective community engagement, and investment in urban infrastructure.

How can cities promote ‘Missing Middle’ housing?

Cities can promote ‘Missing Middle’ housing by reforming zoning regulations, engaging with communities to build understanding and support, investing in necessary infrastructure, and facilitating public-private partnerships to reduce development barriers.

The introduction of ‘Missing Middle’ housing offers a compelling opportunity to address today’s housing affordability crisis, providing equitable and sustainable solutions that align with the evolving needs and demographics of urban populations. Through thoughtful implementation and strategic urban planning, ‘Missing Middle’ housing has the potential to ease the affordability squeeze while maintaining community character and supporting economic diversity.