15 Small City Housing • Housing Dynamics density” and that “increasing density is very hard,” which prevents the introduction of middle housing solutions and ultimately limits supply. At the same time, single-family zoning outlaws the prezoning fabrics that shape communities today. Participants highlighted the importance of their “naturally occurring affordable units,” “historic row-houses,” and “wonderful missing middle” types, as important elements in their communities. These forms of housing were identified as tools to “alleviate the housing crisis,” expanding both diversity and overall stock. These themes reveal a central tension in small city housing. Communities value diverse housing types, yet those same assets are often compromised because they are blighted or aging under weak market conditions. In stronger markets, single-family zoning limits the creation of these housing types and prevents communities from fully realizing the potential of their existing housing stock. How can cities leverage existing housing assets and community priorities to respond to mounting housing pressures?
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