Research on Financing and Other Non-Zoning Barriers to Increasing Missing Middle Housing Supply
This grant funds research up to $500K to identify barriers beyond zoning that hinder "Missing Middle Housing" construction and find solutions to boost its supply.
Funder: Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Due Dates: February 25, 2025
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 total funding; cooperative agreement award
Summary: Funds research to identify financing and other non-zoning barriers to constructing Missing Middle Housing and to develop strategies to increase its supply.
Key Information: Construction projects are ineligible; awardees will collaborate closely with HUD subject matter experts.
Description
This funding opportunity supports research focused on financing and other non-zoning barriers that limit the construction of Missing Middle Housing (MMH). MMH includes housing types such as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), duplexes, townhomes, and small-scale apartment buildings, which are considered key to increasing housing supply and addressing the U.S. housing affordability crisis. Despite their potential, MMH represents only a small portion of the housing stock due to unique development challenges.
The research aims to:
- Identify significant financing and other non-zoning barriers that prevent or limit MMH production and assess their impact on housing supply.
- Discover successful federal, state, and local strategies that overcome these barriers, including financing solutions, policy tools, and technical assistance.
- Recommend feasible, cost-effective, and evidence-based strategies that could increase MMH supply across diverse housing markets and jurisdictions.
Awards will be issued as cooperative agreements, requiring substantial collaboration with HUD’s Office of Policy Development & Research (PD&R) experts. Proposals requesting funds for actual construction projects will not be considered.
