Expanding Citywide Housing Diversity

Home in Tacoma Phase 2

Tacoma, WA

Creating New Opportunities

For decades, Tacoma allowed just one housing type in most of its neighborhoods: detached houses. The Home in Tacoma project created new development and design standards, and strengthened existing policies for affordability and anti-displacement to allow “middle housing” options that meet the growing housing needs of the city and region.

Housing Choice and Affordability

By allowing up to four to eight units on a lot, other housing types—such as backyard units, stacked flats and townhouses—can fit into existing neighborhoods. These can meet the needs of diverse households, provide more choice for everybody, and expand affordability and entry-level homeownership options.

Sustainable Neighborhoods

Providing more housing units on each lot supports walkability and health, and can add enough density to support transit and vibrant neighborhood centers. New building and site design standards ensure compact building scale as well as space for permeable surfaces and tree canopy that foster stormwater retention, improved air quality, biohabitat, shade and beautiful streetscapes.