As it happens, a once-loved, once-lived-in single-story home in Portland, Oregon, fell into disrepair, leaving the sizable corner lot on which it stood ripe for redevelopment. Many feared it would be replaced by a larger, more expensive single-family home — a growing trend across the country. Instead, developer Eli Spevak saw an opportunity to address the city’s mandate for housing availability and affordability. Today, six thoughtfully designed townhomes stand in its place, blending seamlessly into the community — and earning the approval of nearby residents.

The ground for Spevak’s “Pollination Station” townhomes was laid in 2019, when Oregon enacted the bipartisan House Bill 2001. The legislation mandated that cities allow for the construction of duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes in areas previously zoned exclusively for single-family homes. But it was Portland’s Residential Infill Project (RIP) that paved the way for modest sixplexes, like Spevak’s. While some housing advocates wish RIP came without height restrictions and affordability requirements, these are the features that made it politically viable and even popular. 

“At the time it was the most liberalized low-density policy in the country,” Neil Heller, who helped model the affordability bonus, wrote on LinkedIn. “Since then, other cities, states, and even Canadian locations have implemented the same policy.”

These policies don’t force the hand of developers, but they encourage the construction of "missing middle" housing — options that bridge the gap between single-family homes and large apartment complexes.

In Portland, there’s a focus on building this “missing middle” on lots in existing urban areas, a practice known as infill development. By building in an established neighborhood, you can tap into existing utilities and services like roads and schools while enabling more people to live near their jobs, retail centers and transit corridors.

“New infill projects make the community more vibrant and diverse and help to support the small local businesses we all love,” Jennifer Shuch, who serves on the board of Portland: Neighbors Welcome, told Oregon Live. “Just look at Concordia Commons on a Saturday morning,” she added, referring to a local pedestrian plaza.

Mike Westling, who witnessed one of the city’s infill projects take shape from his front porch, noted that, although neighbors were initially apprehensive about the construction, the feedback has been largely positive. “I’ve only heard good things about the new addition to the block,” he said.

The positive reception is icing on the cake. The new homes are selling well, illustrating to skeptics that the demand is there. Now it’s time for the supply to catch up.

Portland is doing what it can to become a Housing-Ready City, implementing policies that help it adapt to new needs, lifestyles and neighbors. What’s your city doing?

Click here to learn more about the reforms local officials can enact today to welcome new housing to their communities. And if you’ve already completed these reforms, add yourself to our map of Housing-Ready Cities!

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