What is Missing Middle Housing?

Although housing affordability has typically been a concern mainly for the lowest income households, housing prices in Arlington have escalated to the point where even those earning moderate incomes struggle to find housing that meets their needs. This is particularly true for new single-family homes and townhomes, while smaller apartments and condominiums tend to be significantly more affordable.

The lack of many housing options that fall in-between more expensive single-family homes and mid-rise apartments has been referred to as the “Missing Middle” of the housing market. These housing types, including duplexes, four-plexes and other small multi-unit properties, were often built in the early 1900’s in many American cities and towns but became much less common in the latter half of the 20th century due to changes in zoning.

In Arlington, 73 percent of residential land is zoned for single-family homes. These large, expensive homes are out of reach for middle-income households, but zoning has restricted construction of missing middle housing types in most of the county for decades.

Increasing variety in housing options and price points for a community makes it more possible for households such as young professionals, retirees, small families, and others to find a place to live that meets their needs, resulting in a more diverse and vibrant community.

Defining Missing Middle Housing

The term can be defined in many ways, primarily referring to housing types and designs with the following characteristics:

• The scale of the structures falls in between single-family homes and mid-rise multifamily housing, and is generally compatible in height and bulk with single-family neighborhoods.

• Includes more than one dwelling unit per lot, such as a single-family home with an accessory dwelling (either internal or external), a condominium, or rental units.

• Smaller unit sizes and modest amenities have the potential to keep prices and rents down naturally, creating a more feasible housing option for middle-income buyers and renters.

• Can be built incrementally on small or modest-size lots without the need for large land consolidation.

Learn More

• To learn more about Missing Middle Housing in Arlington, visit missingmiddlearlington.net.

• For additional information about Missing Middle Housing concepts, visit missingmiddlehousing.com created by Opticos Design

• Learn about Arlington’s Missing Middle Housing Study

• See materials and video from the 2021 Leckey Forum featuring Daniel Parolek of Opticos Design

• See materials and videos from the 2016 Leckey Forum on Missing Middle Housing, featuring Daniel Parolek of Opticos Design and panels on policy/regulatory and financial considerations

• View the AHS Missing Middle Design Gallery to visualize the potential of missing middle housing

• View Daniel Parolek’s keynote talk at our forum on YouTube (starting at minute 10:34)