Mid-Density – it’s what we need.

We keep growing outward. Looking at housing development around Shelby County, most is happening on borders. While some folks desire land and space, the cost associated with those luxuries is out of reach for many Memphians. That’s why we need to invest in a mix of housing, including more dense housing in the middle of the city. 

What is housing density?

Housing density measures the number of people against the size of the space in which they live. More people living in a smaller area creates more density. Extremely dense housing would be something like a 65-story high-rise in New York City. You have dozens of floors of people living in a building that takes up less than a block of land. Compare that to rural farmland, where you may have one house per several hundred acres.

What is middle-density housing?

If the high-rise in NYC is high density, and the detached farmhouse is low density, then all of the diverse multi-family housing options in between are middle density. Think about units like duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, rowhomes and other multifamily options that aren’t large apartment complexes. These developments allow more family units to dwell on smaller plots of land, which is helpful when building space is limited – like the core of cities like Memphis. So, why is middle housing such an excellent option for cities like ours? Here are a few of the many reasons. 

Density places people in closer proximity to resources. 

Because dense housing requires less land, you can use smaller plots of premium land to house multiple family units. And, since you’re not pushing new development into outlying parts of the county, you’re putting people near already established resources like medical facilities, grocery stores, transit lines, government buildings and job opportunities. Depending on the person and the development, walking to get food or go to work may even be possible, reducing the need for transportation and associated costs. 

Density converts unused spaces into viable housing. 

Affordable housing is a critical need in Memphis, as is blight elimination. We can work toward alleviating both challenges by demolishing existing blighted properties and replacing them with middle-density housing. Building high-quality, affordable housing to replace unused properties increases community value two-fold – it improves the overall look, which can impact property value while also adding tax-paying people who will spend money in and around the community.

Density can alleviate the costs of housing and create access for more people.

Generally speaking, when you have more housing units in a space, the cost per unit is less than it would be for a single occupant. Built-in amenities, design choices and other factors can impact prices, but most middle-housing communities would be less expensive than single-family dwellings in and around the same area. While you might immediately consider middle housing as rental units, many middle housing options can be great for first-time homebuyers. Buying a condo, unit in a duplex or other multi-family unit can help people build equity and housing stability. 

Density can build community. 

Density creates proximity to other people, which can build diverse, unique communities. By creating shared spaces where people can gather together, live and work, we’re making a network of neighbors who can look out for and support each other.