The Missing Middle: Idaho’s Forgotten Housing Types

Across Idaho, people are searching for homes that fit their lives and budgets, but too often, the only options available are large single-family houses or big apartment complexes. What is missing are the homes in between—the small, neighborhood-scale options that used to define Idaho communities. These “Missing Middle” housing types include duplexes, fourplexes, cottage courts, courtyard apartments, and townhomes. They offer attainable, family-friendly living options that blend seamlessly into existing neighborhoods.

For generations, these housing types filled Idaho’s neighborhoods. You can still see them in older parts of Boise, Nampa, and Coeur d’Alene, where small apartment buildings and duplexes sit side by side with single-family homes. But starting in the mid-20th century, zoning codes began to separate housing types into rigid categories. In most cities today, it is illegal to build the same kind of housing that once made our communities diverse and vibrant.

That’s where the Gem State Housing Alliance comes in. We work with local governments to update zoning codes so they allow for a broader mix of homes. Missing Middle housing is essential because it makes it possible for working families, teachers, nurses, and young professionals to live close to jobs, schools, and services. It also helps seniors stay in their neighborhoods as they age. By legalizing these options again, we can make our cities more affordable, walkable, and connected.

Allowing Missing Middle housing by right does not mean every neighborhood will suddenly change. It simply restores balance and choice. Instead of forcing builders to construct only large single-family homes, it gives them the flexibility to design smaller, more attainable options that fit the community’s character. Cities can support this shift by simplifying approval processes, reducing excessive parking and setback requirements, and creating form-based design standards that focus on how buildings look and feel rather than how many homes they contain.

The benefits are tangible. Missing Middle homes are less expensive to build and maintain, use land more efficiently, and provide the gentle density that supports local businesses and public transit. They also strengthen social connections, creating neighborhoods where a diverse range of people can live side by side.

At the Gem State Housing Alliance, we believe Idaho can bring back the housing types that once made our communities thrive. We have created a Model Missing Middle Code Template that cities can adapt to fit their local context, as well as a growing library of tools to help planners, architects, and residents collaborate on zoning updates.

Idaho’s future depends on giving people choices. By reintroducing Missing Middle housing, we can make room for everyone and build communities that reflect the best of our state—practical, welcoming, and grounded in common sense.