Portland, known for its innovative approach to building more affordable "middle" housing units, has seen a sharp slowdown in construction, suggesting that this is not just one of the many steps forward to alleviate the city's housing crisis. The Residential Infill Project (RIP), which loosened local zoning laws to encourage denser development on a single lot, has resulted in a decrease in construction. Since RIP was implemented, around 23% of new housing developed in Portland was middle housing, with officials expecting this share to grow. However, housing production has dropped significantly, with only 1,223 permits approved across all housing types in 2025, the lowest total since the Great Recession in 2010. High interest rates, rising costs due to inflation and tariffs, and limited financing options have led to this slowdown.