Bill promotes housing variety in single-family neighborhoods

Creating higher densities in Washington’s cities will help reduce housing costs, cut fuel emissions and put an end to exclusionary zoning, supporters of House Bill 1782 say.

Critics of the idea, however, say it will require significant overhauls in cities’ infrastructure and reduce local control of housing.

The bill addresses the “missing middle,” housing options that exist between single-family homes and apartment complexes, including duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes.

The bill requires cities to allow middle housing in every zone where single-family homes are allowed. Supporters say it’s an...