Missing Middle Housing Study Launches in Arlington County, Virginia

Missing Middle Housing, the kinds of additional density that can be added with limited construction on a footprint the size of traditional single-family homes, is gaining momentum in the D.C. region.

1 minute read

August 23, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Duplex

lensfield / Shutterstock

"Arlington County [Virginia] plans to launch a new Missing Middle Housing Study to reexamine its missing middle housing stock," reports Biran Goggin.

"According to the county website, the study hopes to provide people with a general understanding of the county’s housing challenges, what options the County Board has, and what policy changes can create new housing types," adds Goggin.

"The county’s Missing Middle Housing Study is part of two broader initiatives: Housing Arlington and Realizing Arlington’s Commitment to Equity, which seek to address the county’s housing affordability and racial equity challenges."

Other governments in the immediate area around Arlington County have completed similar studies in recent years, according to Goggin. "For example Montgomery County, MD completed a similar study in 2018 while DC’s Office of Planning published a report focused on single-family zoning earlier this year."

After the study, the county could proceed with amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance that would allow for new zoning to allow for the construction of Missing Middle Housing in more of the county.

Monday, August 17, 2020 in Greater Greater Washington

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

5 hours ago - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

6 hours ago - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

7 hours ago - NBC Dallas