The Central Ohio Missing Middle Cohort
Missing middle housing - like the classic duplex - has been called Central Ohio’s “original workforce housing” because of the critical role it plays in benefiting local workers, supporting empty nesters, give choice to families needing intergenerational housing, and boosting mobility for young people searching for an affordable starter home. Research increasingly shows that these housing styles also promote healthy inclusive communities and can reduce energy costs for residents.
“Building on Tradition: the Central Ohio Missing Middle Cohort” is an initiative from the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio and the Greater Ohio Policy Center to connect cities with peer supports and technical assistance in pre-approving missing middle building plans that are customized to complement the existing community character, lower housing prices through reduced administrative burden, and achieve long-term cost savings for residents.
This process is also intended to prepare cities for new funding opportunities arising under the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, including positioning them for success in the Innovation Fund, which rewards communities that have made meaningful strides to address their local housing needs.
Building on Tradition
Communities will receive the following supports during the six-month program, at no cost
Advanced curriculum including landscape analysis, steps to expedite permit reviews; techniques to promote interdepartmental collaboration; and public engagement tools;
Optional third-party permit process audit, including free ICC continuing education credits for participants;
Technical assistance to customize and localize process for individual city needs;
Coaching on creating checklists, coversheets, and operational documents to support pre-approval;
Access to no-cost, stamped architectural plans for all city residents.
Communities must commit to the following:
Each community will work independently with the goal of pre-approving at least one Housing Ohio duplex design that can achieve permitting in seven business days or less.
Designate one mid/senior-level planning official to attend six total meetings over the course of six months (November-April), lasting no more than two hours each;
Designate one mid/senior-level building review official to attend three total meetings over the course of six months, lasting no more than two hours each;
Complete an average of four hours per month of out-of-class tasks; and
Demonstrate executive sponsorship that communicates project prioritization to cross-department staff.
Ready to learn more?
Interested communities are invited to join a virtual information session September 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM. We recommend attendance from senior staff. To ensure peer communities can best support each other and participate meaningfully in the experience, capacity is strictly limited.
Is your city ready to Build on Tradition?
Download and share the “Building on Tradition” flyer with your policymakers and city officials today.
Meet the Class of 2026
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Coming Soon
Building on Tradition is now enrolling, stay tuned for more information on the first class of innovators and problem solvers.
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Coming Soon
Building on Tradition is now enrolling, stay tuned for more information on the first class of innovators and problem solvers.
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Coming Soon
Descripti
Building on Tradition is now enrolling, stay tuned for more information on the first class of innovators and problem solvers.
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Coming Soon
Building on Tradition is now enrolling, stay tuned for more information on the first class of innovators and problem solvers.
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![]()
Coming Soon
Building on Tradition is now enrolling, stay tuned for more information on the first class of innovators and problem solvers.
