Several bills filed in state Senate to increase NC's housing supply
A mixed-income housing project under construction in Durham. (Photo: Greg Childress)
A bill to expand so-called 'missing middle housing' statewide was one of four bills introduced in the state Senate on Tuesday as part of lawmakers' strategy to address North Carolina's housing crisis.
'Missing middle housing' refers to buildings with multiple units such as townhomes, duplexes and fourplexes that are placed into residential neighborhoods and serve as a middle ground between single-family homes and large apartment complexes.
Senate Bill 497 ('Expand Middle Housing') has bipartisan support. It was filed by Sen. Tim Moffitt, a Henderson County Republican and Sen. Julie Mayfield, a Buncombe County Democrat.
Under SB 497, a 'local government shall allow all middle housing types in areas zoned for residential use, including those that allow for the development of detached single-family dwellings,' the bill reads.
SB 497 also prohibits local governments from discouraging 'development of middle housing through unreasonable costs or delay, including zoning, development, siting, or design review standards that restrict middle housing types to less than three stories, or a floor area ratio of less than one.'
SB 497 comes as the state faces a five-year housing inventory gap of 764,478 units (322,360 rental units and 442,118 for-sale units), according to a recent statewide report commissioned by the NC Chamber Foundation, NC REALTORS and the N.C. Homebuilders Association.
Missing middle housing has stirred controversy in Raleigh where the City Council passed a plan to allow for denser housing — townhomes and duplexes, for example — to be built in some neighborhoods of traditional single-family homes.
Critics argue that such housing changes the character of neighborhoods and lowers property values. They also contend 'missing middle housing' can cause parking issues.
Carolina Forward, a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy organization, celebrated the four bills in a social media post. The organization also warned of expected pushback from community groups opposed to 'missing middle housing.'
'The NIMBY lobby is going to fight these pretty hard in the legislature. But support is growing to expand housing in North Carolina,' Carolina Forward said on X.
Moffitt and Mayfield also introduced three other bills to increase the state's housing supply:
Senate Bill 499 to allow housing development 'by right' in any area currently zoned only for commercial, office or retail use. The bill also allows the conversion of a building or portion of a building from commercial use to residential use.
Senate Bill 495 to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) statewide.
Senate Bill 492 to allow single exit-stairways in apartment construction of up to eight stories. Supporters see this change as a way to increase the supply of multifamily housing because requiring more than one exit-stairway in small apartments building make them more expensive. Meanwhile, critics cite safety concerns.
The legislation comes as lawmakers work to resolve the housing crisis made worse by Hurricane Helene.
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