Tacoma residents on the hunt for affordable housing options might soon find relief, thanks to a new pilot program the City is rolling out to fast-track the development of so-called 'missing middle' housing. This initiative, announced by the City of Tacoma, is targeting the crunch in the housing market where entry-level, economically accessible homes are scarce. According to a release by the City, the program will streamline the process for projects that fall between single-family dwellings and large apartment complexes, namely residential projects with seven to 20 units, and townhomes with 10 to 20 units.
Slated for launch in January 2026, the one-year pilot aims to build on Tacoma's existing permitting framework for smaller residential projects. By consolidating permitting authority within the Planning & Development Services Department and forming a dedicated staff review team, the City plans to expedite decision-making and resolve complex code issues such as the ones that emerge from the intersection of right-of-way improvements and site amenities.
To cut down on the usual delays that arise from incomplete or iterative submissions, the program emphasizes the importance of thorough initial applications. As part of this focus, developers will have access to free pre-application meetings and must adhere to a pre-submittal checklist to ensure their application is ready for review from the get-go. Chief among the operational changes is the assignment of a dedicated project coordinator who will shepherd applications from the feasibility stage all the way through to permit issuance, offering continuity and a consistent point of contact for developers, as highlighted by the City's announcement.
The City of Tacoma is taking things a step further by committing to the creation of pre-approved townhouse building plans. Expected to be available by the end of 2026, these plans are intended to cut back on design and engineering costs while reducing the review period significantly. In addition, the pilot program introduces an accountability framework, with tracking enhancements that will capture data at every review phase to identify bottlenecks and understand which process improvements are most effective over the long term.
With the 'missing middle' identified as a crucial segment in tackling housing affordability and diversity, Tacoma's innovative approach could provide a replicable model for other cities grappling with similar housing market challenges. The eyes of urban planners and housing advocates will undoubtedly be on this pilot program to see if it yields the fast-tracked results as intended by the City of Tacoma.
