Understanding “Missing Middle Housing”

The Oregon House Bill 2001 was passed in August, “requiring cities with a population greater than 10,000 or within Metro to allow duplexes in lands zoned for single-family dwellings within urban growth boundary, and cities with greater than 25,000 to allow middle housing in lands zoned for residential uses within urban growth boundaries.” (Paraphrased from the Oregon State Legislature website.)

OK, so how does this affect the Portland Metro area?

The City has been working on the Residential Infill Project (RIP) for more than 4 years, in an attempt to address the need for more affordable housing in single-family neighborhoods of the Portland Metro. The RIP proposal will mostly cover the requirements of HB 2001, but is being adjusted to be in compliance.

The Planning and Sustainability Commission revised prior drafts of the RIP plan to create the Recommended Draft, a summary of the proposed changes to residential housing zoning. The Commission is tentatively scheduled to present the recommended draft to City Council in December 2019, and the Council is expected to hold public hearings on these recommendations as well.

To see how your property might be affected by the new zoning laws, type in your address using the Map App on your mobile device.

Here are a few links to learn more about this project:

• About the Residential Infill Project (City of Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability)
• “Portland seeks to address worries about infill housing plan with anti-displacement push” (Oregonlive.com, Sept. 4, 2019)