Broad Policy Change Creates

Opportunity in Middle Housing

Across the country, cities are facing a critical housing challenge. It is a shortage of units and a shortage of the right kind of units. Single-family homes dominate many neighborhoods, while large apartment complexes often face community resistance and zoning barriers. In between lies the missing piece: middle housing.

Middle housing refers to smaller, multi-unit developments, including:

• duplexes,

• triplexes,

• townhomes,

• and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

These types of homes have historically provided attainable options for working families, first-time buyers, and renters. Today, they are in alarmingly short supply.

Housing is critical infrastructure. For real estate developers, this is no longer just a market gap, it is a social imperative. The housing crisis affects teachers, nurses, police, and firefighters in every metro area. Zoning reform is beginning to unlock opportunities to build more of this much-needed housing stock, but it will take proactive developers to actually deliver on the promise.

Developers who recognize this moment for what it is - a shift in public expectation and policy momentum - will not only position themselves for long-term growth, but will also help solve one of the defining challenges of our time.