US Cities Adopt Middle Housing Policies Amid Debate

Cities across the U.S. are adopting new policies to address housing affordability for middle-income residents. In Denver, the mayor launched a pilot program offering property tax incentives to developers to create income-restricted rental units for households earning $60,000 to $100,000, though some are concerned about city revenue impacts. Berkeley's City Council unanimously passed a middle housing ordinance, streamlining approvals for duplexes and small apartment buildings in most neighborhoods and projecting 1,700 new units over eight years. Meanwhile, resistance to high-density development is rising in San Diego, where a grassroots group is pushing back against large developer-driven projects over concerns about displacement and financialization. These measures illustrate a national debate on balancing increased housing supply with affordability and community character. The new policies reflect a shift in urban planning priorities as cities respond to mounting affordability challenges.