PSRC’s Housing Monitoring report in 2024 documented the region’s collective goal to build over 620,000 housing units to accommodate growth and meet the region’s housing needs. Through updates to local comprehensive plans, jurisdictions reported how they’re planning to accommodate growth and meet housing needs. The 2025 Housing Incentives and Tools Survey report documents the work of the region’s cities, towns, and counties to meet local and regional housing needs.
Jurisdictions allow denser housing to prepare for the region’s future
Survey respondents reported upzoning to make room for nearly 820,000 additional housing units through the recent comprehensive plan updates, primarily in areas for moderate density and mid-rise multifamily housing. Although this number is larger than the region’s estimated 20-year housing needs, actual housing construction will likely be lower, due to various constraints. In addition, while providing space for housing does not address affordability needs, it is an important first step. A future blog post will highlight tools that jurisdictions use to encourage affordable housing.
Most of the new capacity comes from two significant shifts:
- First, “middle housing” updates changed areas that previously allowed only single-family homes into the moderate density category, allowing for duplexes, townhomes, and other small-scale multifamily housing types.
- Second, many jurisdictions allow more mid-rise housing (typically 4-7 story buildings) to create more affordable housing options.
The full report of survey findings is available on our website.