Earlier this week the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) Committee had it’s final report (or a draft of the final report)  leaked to the media. The draft has some pretty amazing things to say about single-family zones.

The exclusivity of Single Family Zones limits the type of housing available for sale or rent, limits the presence of smaller format housing and limits access for those with less income. Seattle’s zoning has roots in racial and class exclusion and remains among the largest obstacles to realizing the city’s goals for equity and affordability. In a city experiencing rapid growth and intense pressures on access to affordable housing, the historic level of Single Family zoning is no longer either realistic or sustainable. HALA recommends allowing more flexibility and variety of housing in Single Family zones to increase the economic and demographic diversity of those who are able to live in these family oriented neighborhoods. In fact, HALA recommends we abandon the term “single family zone” and refer to such areas as low-density residential zones.

That’s big stuff. I’ve been using the term “missing middle” to describe the kind of housing solution that peeling back the single-family designation could allow. Duplexes, triplexes, town and row houses, as well as courtyard housing could proliferate, increasing density but also enhancing the character of former single family neighborhoods. The Urbanist reaches a similar conclusion.

We’ll be taking a closer look at the draft and the final report and its implications for Seattle’s Housing Future.