YIMBY Movements: Global Efforts to Increase Urban Housing Supply
Across the globe, a growing movement known as YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) is challenging the traditional resistance to urban development. While the opposite philosophy, NIMBY (Not In My Backyard), seeks to block new construction to preserve neighborhood character, YIMBY advocates argue that increasing the housing supply is the most effective way to combat affordability crises, reduce inequality, and promote sustainable urban growth.
From grassroots blogs in Slovakia to bipartisan caucuses in the United States, these movements focus on reforming zoning laws—the municipal regulations that dictate how land can be used—to allow for denser, more diverse housing options.
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Key Facts
- Global Reach: Active movements exist in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Slovakia.
- Core Objective: To increase the number of available homes by reducing regulatory barriers and promoting urban densification.
- Political Integration: YIMBY ideas have reached the highest levels of government, including endorsements from US presidents and UK prime ministers.
- Diverse Strategies: Tactics range from legal action against cities to lobbying for legislative reform and hosting international conferences.
YIMBY in the United States
The United States has one of the most robust YIMBY landscapes, particularly in states facing severe housing shortages. In California, activists have pressured local and state governments to expedite construction and enforce zoning laws. Groups in the San Francisco Bay Area have utilized the Housing Accountability Act (the "anti-NIMBY law") to sue cities that attempt to block development.
California's movement has seen significant financial backing from technology executives, including contributions from Stripe founders John and Patrick Collison, Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman, and others. These efforts include lobbying for Senate Bill 35 to streamline housing and supporting "split roll" tax reforms to incentivize commercial development.
In New York, organizations like Open New York argue that the burden of urban growth has historically fallen on low-income and minority neighborhoods, while wealthy residents use political power to block development in high-opportunity areas. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, Boston-area groups emphasize that smart development is essential for retaining the middle class in expensive cities.
National Political Momentum
YIMBY principles have recently entered the US political mainstream. Former President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris have both advocated for clearing away outdated regulations to make homeownership more accessible for young and working people. On November 21, 2024, a bipartisan group of lawmakers established the Congressional YIMBY Caucus to push for federal legislation to increase housing supply.
International Movements
United Kingdom
In the UK, London YIMBY advocates for "Better Streets," a policy allowing residents to vote by a two-thirds majority to adopt design codes that permit buildings of up to five or six stories. This approach aims to gradually replace suburban homes with mansion blocks. The movement has gained recognition from figures such as former MP Sam Gyimah and former House of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg. Additionally, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has identified himself as a YIMBY proponent.
Canada
Canada's movement is characterized by city-specific advocacy. In Toronto, a YIMBY movement began in 2006, featuring an annual festival that promotes a community mindset open to change. Groups like HousingNowTO and More Neighbours Toronto focus on maximizing home counts in government projects and reforming supply policies. Other active groups include Abundant Housing Vancouver and Ottawa's Make Housing Affordable.
Australia
Australia has seen the rise of the Abundant Housing Network Australia, a national alliance including Greater Canberra, YIMBY Melbourne, Sydney YIMBY, and Greater Brisbane. YIMBY Melbourne has notably received funding from Open Philanthropy's Abundance & Growth fund.
Europe: Sweden, The Netherlands, and Slovakia
- Sweden: Founded in Stockholm in 2007, the Yimby political party network advocates for densification and the reform or elimination of the 1987 Plans and Constructions Act (PBL).
- The Netherlands: Starting with RTM XL in Rotterdam in 2012, similar platforms have emerged in Eindhoven (EHVXL), The Hague (DHXL), and Utrecht (UTRXL) to promote urban development.
- Slovakia: The YIM.BA (Yes In My Bratislava) blog, started in 2014, serves as a platform to inform and critique development in the capital city.
Summary of Major YIMBY Organizations
| Organization | Region | Primary Focus/Goal |
|---|---|---|
| California YIMBY | California, USA | State-level lobbying and zoning reform |
| Open New York | New York City, USA | Equitable growth and zoning reform |
| London YIMBY | London, UK | "Better Streets" and increased density |
| Abundant Housing Network | Australia | National alliance for housing vision |
| Yimby Party | Sweden | Political reform of the PBL Act |
| HousingNowTO | Toronto, Canada | Maximizing government-built housing |
Global Collaboration
The movement is not just local but international. The YIMBYTown conference series—held in Boulder (2016), Oakland, and Boston (2018)—has brought together advocates from the US, Canada, England, and Australia. These gatherings emphasize that tackling housing shortages in thriving urban areas is key to solving broader issues like climate change and economic inequality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the YIMBY movement?
The primary goal is to increase the supply of housing in urban areas by advocating for the removal of restrictive zoning laws and promoting higher-density development.
How does YIMBY differ from NIMBY?
YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) supports new housing and urban development, whereas NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) typically opposes such developments to maintain existing neighborhood conditions.
What is the "Better Streets" proposal in the UK?
It is a policy proposed by London YIMBY that would allow a two-thirds majority of residents on a street to vote for a design code permitting buildings up to five or six stories.
Which US state has a particularly strong YIMBY movement?
California has a very strong movement, utilizing both legislative lobbying and legal action (such as the Housing Accountability Act) to increase housing production.
What is the PBL in the context of Swedish YIMBYs?
The PBL refers to the Plans and Constructions Act of 1987, which the Swedish Yimby party views as a major obstacle to new construction and urban densification.