Omaha's 'Missing Middle' Homes Could Solve Affordability Crisis.

Builders in Omaha are constructing "missing middle" housing, which includes duplexes, townhouses, and other small-scale multi-unit or clustered housing types that are compatible in scale with single-family homes. These homes are cheaper to build and offer buyers a way to enjoy the benefits of homeownership at a lower price point. However, under Omaha's zoning laws, such housing is prohibited in 80% of Omaha neighborhoods, with zoning in most surrounding communities similarly restrictive. To spur more missing middle development, a statewide coalition tackling the state’s affordable housing crisis recently called for zoning changes across the region.