What is middle housing?
Middle housing refers to housing types that fill the gap between small apartments and detached single dwellings including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, cottage clusters, and townhouses.
- Housing should be adaptable. Household sizes are changing and evolving as their members pass through different phases of life.
- There is a housing crisis. Not just in Oregon but nationwide. There is not enough housing or enough types of housing to meet people's needs.
- Homes are more than just a place to live. Especially during COVID-19. They serve as our workplaces, our schools, and how we take care of our families and friends.
House Bill 2001 frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions PDF
What are middle housing types?
Middle housing types are defined by HB 2001 as duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, town houses and cottage clusters. It defines a cottage cluster as a grouping of four or more detached housing units (with footprints of less than 900 square feet each) built around a courtyard, with a density of at least four units per acre.
Does HB 2001 ban single family dwellings?
No, single-family detached dwellings will still be allowed. HB 2001 allows more types of housing to be constructed in low-density residential zones but does not restrict development of single-family detached dwellings.
Why was HB 2001 created?
The principles behind HB 2001 mirror a national movement, which calls for increasing housing of all types to alleviate shortages throughout the country. Here in Oregon there is an increasing lack of housing, particularly housing priced that the average resident can afford. Oregon is one of the fastest growing states in the country, but state policies, zoning codes, community opposition, and other factors have made it challenging to accommodate population growth. HB 2001 was created to help increase the amount and types of housing available to Oregonians.
How does HB 2001 affect accessory dwelling units (ADUs)?
HB 2001 prevents local governments from requiring owner occupancy or additional parking for ADUs. ADUs are small, secondary housing units constructed on the same property as an existing house. ADUs can be attached to the main dwelling unit, above a detached garage or freestanding. This provision went into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
Can the City, private individuals, or homeowners' associations pass new regulations or rules to prevent middle housing in other ways?
HB 2001 prohibits middle housing from be restricted through alternate means, including documents recorded against a property or other governing documents that occur on or after Aug. 8, 2019 (the effective date of the act). This means that homeowners' associations and related groups can't create new rules to prohibit middle housing.
How is Gresham going to respond to HB 2001?
The City will comply with the requirements of HB 2001. We anticipate that the process will include a fair amount of public outreach.
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Where can I find HB 2001 to read for myself?
HB 2001 can be found on the
Oregon State Legislature website.