Florida’s housing crisis impacts dense urban cities, towns and rural communities alike. Wages, median incomes and housing costs vary from region to region, but prices continue to increase everywhere. Given the increasing impacts from storms and extreme heat, new housing must innovate with climate resilient design that can reduce energy costs, reduce risks and insurance costs.
To address the state’s workforce housing crisis, the Florida Housing Coalition and AIA Florida formed a joint task force and are launching a new initiative. Recognizing the key role architects play in creating sustainable, resilient communities, the initiative calls on Florida architects and architecture students to develop Missing Middle HousingCase Studies — designs that bridge the gap between single-family homes and large multifamily buildings. The intent of this joint initiative is to seek out and showcase creative ideas that are appropriate to the diverse local contexts across the state.
Why Missing Middle?
Missing middle housing can help communities with the following.
Make homeownership more accessible: many aspiring homeowners are priced out of the market and must rent for years. Housing that is more affordable to build and purchase due to smaller lot sizes and construction costs, enables middle-income earners, first-time homebuyers, and essential workers to buy a home and build equity.
Create housing for all: smaller but livable housing design that meets the needs of singles, couples, smaller multi-generational families, and older adults.
Fit the communitycontext: gentle increases in density in existing neighborhoods and downtowns with housing that is similar in scale and appearance to existing homes can reduce potential opposition.
Broaden the housing supply. By adding a diverse range of appropriately scaled units in developed areas instead of developing new land, missing middle housing can expand the overall housing supply and support community sustainability goals.
Promoting Middle Housing Case Studies
The AIA FL has created a portal and application process for architects and students to upload their designs. The AIA FL will publish a Florida Missing Middle Design Showcase digital book that features designs that meet the program criteria. Architects will retain complete ownership and copy rights to their designs. However, both organizations will have the right to use them to promote their agenda to advance Missing Middle Housing. AIA FL and Florida Housing Coalition will promote case study ideas and their architects in panel sessions and other activities at their respective annual conferences.
Supporting Housing Partnerships
Many communities are seeking innovative solutions to build housing in a resilient affordable manner. The Coalition will engage their housing partners (local governments, non-profit housers and developers) who are interested in developing Missing Middle Housing and have the resources to implement a project. The Coalition is planning a series of networking activities to connect partners and architects in 2026.
University Collaboration and Student Engagement
The initiative is also fostering future professionals and seeking their creative ideas in addressing this housing challenge. Faculty at several Florida universities with architecture schools are integrating the core goals and criteria into studios and other activities in the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters. Academic members of the Task Force include faculty from the University of Florida, University of Miami, and Florida A&M University. Any student enrolled in an architecture program can submit a design through the AIA FL portal. Interested faculty should contact:Rhonda Hammond at rhonda@hdg-architects.com.
Schedule of Events
There is a two-step process to apply. Architects and architect students must first register to receive the application form and instructions.
Registration opening: November 14, 2025
Informational Webinar December 8, 2025 at 12 p.m. Eastern. Register HERE.
Registration closing: April 17, 2026
Submission deadline: May 4, 2026
Publish case study e-book: Summer 2026
Presentation at AIA Florida 2026 Convention: July 18, 2026
Presentation at FHC 2026 Annual Conference: August 24-26, 2026
Program Criteria
Participants must submit designs for either a real or theoretical site that demonstrates Missing Middle Housing solutions—such as duplexes, triplexes, quads, townhomes (up to 6 units), ADUs, courtyard homes, or cottage clusters.
Submissions should address:
Affordability: Ideally, created to support the local workforce -- renters and potential homeowners -- earning at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Consider local wage data and ensure housing costs don’t exceed 30% of income. AMI data can be found via county sites or the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse. Florida Housing Data Clearing Housing
Sustainable/Resilient: Participants must design Missing Middle Housing that is resilient, durable, and affordable over a lifespan of 75+ years. Homes should be able to withstand Florida’s extreme weather—including wind, flooding, and heat—while lowering long-term energy, insurance, and maintenance costs.
Specific criteria include:
Development Typology may be one of:
Infill: vacant/underused urban parcels
Redevelopment: obsolete or underused large tracts
Greenfield: new or reimagined single-family developments
Geography: Indicate county, community, and urban/suburban/rural status.
Demographics: Identify target residents (youth, families, seniors, veterans, special needs).
Tenure: Specify tenure or ownership model (rental, ownership, rent-to-own).
Density and Size: Define number of units per acre, square footage, bedrooms, and baths.
Compatibility: Demonstrate how the design fits local scale, height, setbacks, and massing with supporting photos.
Local Policy: Note current land use/zoning and propose necessary changes.
Land Ownership: Identify owner type if a real site (government, nonprofit, private).
Site Condition: Provide a location map and note the size of the site and whether it is vacant or developed.
Special Design Considerations
Applications should detail strategies, materials, and systems that:
Exceed Florida Building Code energy and water conservation standards
Minimize heat gain and mitigate urban heat island effects
Promote natural ventilation for cooling during power outages
Reduce flood risk and resist hurricane-level winds
Incorporate nature-basedlandscape solutions that enhance resilience and conserve water
Use durable, low-maintenance materials suited to Florida’s climate
Align with 3rd party certifications such as Enterprise Green Communities, Net Zero, Florida Green Building, National Green Building or IBHS FORTIFIED or similar.
Participants are also encouraged to integrate innovative, cost-effective construction methods that improve efficiency and reduce project delivery time.
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