Zillow Study Finds Expanding Support for Middle Housing Solutions

A new Zillow survey covering 26 metro areas found that residents largely support allowing middle housing in residential neighborhoods. Middle housing options are those that fall into categories between single-family lots and large multifamily buildings, such as duplexes or small apartment buildings. A clear majority of homeowners surveyed (78%) voiced support for at least one of these middle housing options, and support was higher among renters (91%).

Despite a pandemic construction boom, in 2022, there were roughly 8.09 million “missing households”: individuals or families living with nonrelatives. Compare that to 3.55 million housing units that were available for rent or for sale, and there is a housing shortage of more than 4.5 million.

There is no quick fix for the housing shortage, but Zillow research has shown that modest densification measures—such as allowing two units on 10% of single-family lots across some of the largest U.S. metros—could help boost critically needed housing supply enough to slow housing price growth in a meaningful way. This latest survey shows a growing support among homeowners and renters for adding housing to their neighborhoods.

Accessory dwelling units enjoy broadest support
Of the types of homes Zillow asked about, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) generally garnered the highest level of support. Among adults in the metros Zillow surveyed, 68% said they would support allowing ADUs in their neighborhood, with higher percentages among renters (71%) and younger adults (71% among ages 18–29, 75% in their 30s and 71% in their 40s).

Duplexes, triplexes and small condo/apartment buildings (of fewer than 10 units) generally enjoyed majority support: 59% of those surveyed said they would support allowing duplexes and triplexes in their neighborhood, and 57% said the same about small condo or apartment buildings of fewer than 10 units. Medium buildings (between 10 and 49 units) saw a closer divide, with about half (50%) indicating support, 44% saying they were opposed, and 6% saying they were unsure.

Support growing for middle housing
Among renters, support for allowing more types of homes has stayed consistently high: Starting in 2022, about 77% of renters reported their support for allowing ADUs, duplexes and/or triplexes in residential neighborhoods. When surveyed again in 2023, 82% reported the same support. In the same year, 89% of renters said they would support allowing at least one type of multifamily housing (ADU, duplex, apartment, and/or condo) in their neighborhood. In 2024, 91% of renters said the same.

Among homeowners, Zillow reported seeing such support grow since at least 2019, when the company began surveying them. In 2019, just over half (57%) agreed at least somewhat that homeowners should be allowed to convert their homes to add housing units. That support grew to 64% in 2022, 68% in 2023 and 73% in 2024.