"Missing Middle" Housing

Missing Middle refers to a range of housing product types that, in density and intensity, lie between the traditional owner-occupied single-family detached home and the multiple-unit apartment complexes and buildings regulated as “multifamily” commercial properties. This range includes incremental increases in density through accessory dwelling units and subdivision of existing structures, to townhomes and lofts, through duplexes and fourplexes, to smaller apartment or condominuim buildings or courts, including those made up primarily of studios or “microunits” as well as those offering larger units for family households.

While this range of housing lies conceptually “in the middle” between pure single-family and more typical multi-family, it also can occupy the physical space between single-family neighborhoods and commercial corridors, allowing for a gradual transition in increasing density. While this is an important tool as Pittsburgh turns more and more to infill development to accommodate the city’s growing population, it is not essential that missing-middle products be located or form transition zones.

Duplex (side-by-side)
A small- to medium-sized structure that consists of two dwelling units, one next to the other, both of which face and are entered from the street.

Carriage House
Also known as an Accessory Dwelling Unit, this building type is a small residential unit that is located at the rear of a lot and has been renovated from garage usually.

Duplex (Stacked)
A small- to medium-sized structure of two stacked dwelling units, one on top of the other, both which face and are entered from the street.

Fourplex
This building type is a type of medium structure that consists of four units: typically two on the ground floor and two above with a shared entry.

Bungalow Court
This building type consists of a series of small, detached buildings of multiple units that are arranged to define a private rear yard and community space.

Townhouse
This small- to medium-sized structure consists of two to eight (usually) attached single-family homes placed side by side and therefore sharing and interior wall.

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Further Reading