Supply

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Build more housing of different types

The region needs more housing of varied types in all communities. The region is two years behind in housing production(External link) and needs over 800,000 new housing units to accommodate the region’s needs by the year 2050. Not keeping up with population growth has exacerbated the upward pressure on housing costs. The region needs to build more housing to address the current backlog and reduce the impact on housing prices and rents.

Supply strategies include:

More multi-family housing choices near transit to provide greater access for more people

  • Increase the opportunity for moderate and higher density housing to meet the regional goal of 65% of new residential growth to be located near high-capacity transit stations. This could include increasing the land zoned for multifamily and mixed-use housing and revising multifamily zones to increase heights and densities. Areas near high-capacity transit stations, such as light rail, should be zoned for the highest housing densities.

More middle density housing to provide greater housing choice for people at all stages of life

  • Increase zoning that allows for moderate density “missing middle” housing to increase opportunities for townhomes and multiple units in neighborhoods with infrastructure, services, and amenities. Zoning that supports moderate densities is limited in the region(External link), while these forms of housing have been shown to be less costly than either single-family homes or higher density developments.

More housing choices within single-family zones to provide less costly ownership options throughout the region

Reduce the costs to build housing

  • Increase densities, reduce minimum lot sizes, and reduce or eliminate parking requirements to make it less costly per unit to build homes.
  • Increase development predictability through cross-jurisdiction coordination that works to increase regulatory consistency and reduce complexity.

Build more housing of different types

The region needs more housing of varied types in all communities. The region is two years behind in housing production(External link) and needs over 800,000 new housing units to accommodate the region’s needs by the year 2050. Not keeping up with population growth has exacerbated the upward pressure on housing costs. The region needs to build more housing to address the current backlog and reduce the impact on housing prices and rents.

Supply strategies include:

More multi-family housing choices near transit to provide greater access for more people

  • Increase the opportunity for moderate and higher density housing to meet the regional goal of 65% of new residential growth to be located near high-capacity transit stations. This could include increasing the land zoned for multifamily and mixed-use housing and revising multifamily zones to increase heights and densities. Areas near high-capacity transit stations, such as light rail, should be zoned for the highest housing densities.

More middle density housing to provide greater housing choice for people at all stages of life

  • Increase zoning that allows for moderate density “missing middle” housing to increase opportunities for townhomes and multiple units in neighborhoods with infrastructure, services, and amenities. Zoning that supports moderate densities is limited in the region(External link), while these forms of housing have been shown to be less costly than either single-family homes or higher density developments.

More housing choices within single-family zones to provide less costly ownership options throughout the region

Reduce the costs to build housing

  • Increase densities, reduce minimum lot sizes, and reduce or eliminate parking requirements to make it less costly per unit to build homes.
  • Increase development predictability through cross-jurisdiction coordination that works to increase regulatory consistency and reduce complexity.