What to Know from Harvard’s ‘Unlocking the Missing Middle’ Housing Study

The United States is in the midst of a national housing shortage, and Massachusetts is no exception to this environment. A new Harvard report has examined the loss of “middle” housing types in Massachusetts.

In its first portion of a three-part report, the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) highlighted a sharp decline in missing  “middle” housing in Massachusetts. This share of missing  “middle” housing in the state is 26%. That's compared to single-family detached homes at 51%.

According to the report, Massachusetts needs to build 222,000 homes during the next 10 years to meet demand.

The term “middle” housing refers to multifamily housing options, such as duplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and small single-unit dwellings that occupy the market between dominant single-family homes and large-scale apartment buildings.

Industry Dive's editor Ryan Kushner explored this first of three reports for some insights:

Historically, Massachusetts was known for its “triple-decker” housing style, which provided affordable, multi-generational, and income-generating homes. Construction of these units declined during the mid-20th century due to regulatory barriers and zoning restrictions.

Zoning regulations, including parking minimums and minimum lot sizes, were identified as substantial barriers to “middle” housing. These regulations “have been wielded as weapons to limit overall housing production, as well as what type of homes can be built, and where,” the report stated.

High construction costs driven by labor and material prices, along with strict building codes that increase complexity and expenses, have discouraged developers from pursuing “middle” housing construction.

Expanding missing “middle” housing could promote economic benefits. These benefits include fostering walkable neighborhoods, boosting local economies, creating rental income opportunities, and encouraging a new generation of small-scale builders.

The JCHS report advocates for six major regulatory reforms to promote missing “middle” housing: