Single-family detached houses remain the most familiar and widely desired housing type in America. Typically designed for households of various sizes and life stages, these homes offer private yards, greater separation from neighbors, and flexibility for long-term living. They are especially attractive to families with children as well as homeowners seeking privacy, storage, and the ability to personalize their property. While often associated with higher land consumption and maintenance responsibilities, well-designed single-family homes can still contribute to cohesive neighborhoods when integrated with connected streets, sidewalks, and nearby amenities. Thoughtful placement and design can ensure this housing type continues to meet market demand while supporting broader community goals.

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Like apartment homes, well-designed duplexes can be easily integrated into neighborhoods with a “single family” look. And, if one unit is owner-occupied, rental units have the benefit of a landlord on site. While adding to the range of affordable options, these housing units are particularly attractive to owners who value opportunities for rental income in the early years followed by on-site housing for a family member or caregiver in later years.

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We typically associate townhomes with urban living. Such units are attractive to on-the-go Millennials as well as empty-nesters, as they feature little or no yard maintenance. Interestingly, townhouses are often separate from “town.” Improperly located, townhome developments can create pockets of density where it cannot be supported, such as within areas that have insufficient road capacity. A desirable type of housing, such units should be encouraged in “in-town” locations. Ideally, townhomes should be located close to retail, services, and jobs and accessible via sidewalk connections to reduce the dependence on automobiles.

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Small units, which may be attached or detached, are organized around a common green. The occupants are one- and two-person households, which represent more than 60 percent of households in America. Though residents may differ in age, they are attracted to the lower maintenance afforded by the size of the units (usually less than 1,000 square feet) and little or no private yards. These products can help expand the range of affordable options and help facilitate multi-generational living.

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Rethink the definition of “apartment.” Apartment complexes typically have 150 or more units. Often, they are enclosed on a parcel with a single entrance and disconnected from surrounding development. In contrast, Small-Scale Apartment Houses contain between 2 and 8 units and can be designed with the architectural features of single-family homes. Scaled to complement new single-family homes within the same new development, they can be located to be part of the fabric of a new neighborhood.

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Living units above places of work (i.e., first floor shops, restaurants, and other businesses) was once a very common arrangement in town centers. This and other forms of vertical mixed-use development is an appropriate way to introduce more housing in commercial areas that depend on more than weekday activity to survive. Though they might work in places other than the spaces below their units, the residents comprise the evening and weekend population that helps create a vibrant, “24/7” environment.

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