The move is the first step in creating additional, land-efficient housing in the community as a shortage in housing stock has gripped the Gorge and the Pacific Northwest generally.

Five local residents are challenging the city of Hood River’s new “Middle Housing” zoning change, citing inadequate public notice. 800-square-foot cottages “may be used as vacation rentals--or sold to people who want a second home here. This is market-rate housing, it will not be the affordable housing Hood River needs.”

On Monday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. the Hood River City Council will hold a Zoom public hearing on a proposal to increase the number of dwellings allowed on a single city lot to as many as four dwellings or 12 cottages.