The United States currently grapples with a housing shortage of between four and seven million homes – a number that continues to grow. Interest rates may rise or fall, but until the root of the housing supply issue is addressed, widespread unaffordability will persist, and many Americans will find homeownership out of reach. Several factors contribute to the current lack of housing: labor and material costs, land values, government regulations, and approval delays, among others.
Looking to create more attainable housing, many developers have prioritized development of smaller homes, situated closely together to minimize land usage. Reducing both material and land costs can reduce the expense passed on to buyers, expanding affordability. Additionally, young families may find small homes on small lots an appealing alternative housing option through build-to-rent communities.
However, city planning requirements often limit these strategies. Zoning regulations and parking minimums drive up both home sizes and paved site area. Aggressive parking requirements have led to nearly two billion parking spaces throughout the United States – or roughly eight parking spaces per person.
Municipalities have noticed the negative effects of overparking on new housing development and have responded by reevaluating parking requirements, particularly in transit-oriented communities. In 2017, the city of Buffalo, New York was the first in the United States to abandon parking minimums. Since then, other cities have followed their lead: from Santa Monica, California, to Hartford, Connecticut.
In response to the changes in parking requirements and the widespread demand for more attainable housing, KTGY’s Research and Development Studio developed The Patch: an infill design solution for attainable housing.
