INFILL

On this episode of Infill, Gillian Pressman talks with two powerhouse voices: Sonja Trauss, founder of the YIMBY movement and Executive Director of YIMBY Law, and Misha Chellam, founder of the Abundance Network. Together, they unpack the transformative idea of “abundance,” sparked by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's new book. They explore what resources it takes to build abundance and how we can build the political power to make a future of abundance our reality. You'll hear thoughts on how YIMBY and Abundance movement leaders are creating systems that empower local advocates to get involved in politics, how different kinds of people in your movement can help you win, and the benefits of various approaches to building power. Whether you're new to the YIMBY movement or deep in the policy trenches, this episode will inspire you to think bigger, act bolder, and advocate harder for a future of abundance for all of us. Read the Your Role in Abundance Substack article: https://modernpower.substack.com/p/your-role-in-abundanceLearn more about the Abundance Network: https://www.abundancenetwork.com/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

In this episode of Infill, YIMBY Action Board member Sonja Trauss speaks with Zellnor Myrie, New York State Senator, and mayoral candidate, to discuss why New York housing policies matter far beyond city limits. They discuss how the NYC housing shortage impacts the national economy, what plans Myrie has to enact bold YIMBY policies across the state, and why voters across the country should care about the outcome of this pivotal race. Zellnor shares his housing platform and unpacks his thoughts on everything from rent stabilization to affordable housing supply to mixed-income public housing and the future of short-term rentals. Tune in to hear his ambitious vision to make New York more affordable, equitable, and opportunity-rich for everyone. If you want to hear more about what kinds of actions leaders in large cities can and should be thinking about to tackle our national housing shortage, give this episode a listen! Learn more about Zellnor's campaign: https://www.zellnor.nyc/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

In this episode of Infill, YIMBY Law's Executive Director, Sonja Trauss, sits down with Sara Bronin—architect, attorney, professor, and author—for a deep dive into the rules that shape where and how we live. They discuss findings from the National Zoning Atlas, the power of local zoning codes, and how land use policy affects everything from housing affordability and environmental sustainability to food systems and even nightlife. Tune in to hear how zoning has been used to block housing, how it's tied to segregation and climate change, and how rethinking it at all levels of government could unlock more equitable and livable communities. Sonja and Sara also discuss what it's like to build a nationwide zoning map, why seemingly small rules like minimum unit sizes matter, and how advocates everywhere can put zoning data to work to create more abundant housing for all of us! Tune in to hear the discussion. Read Key to the City:  https://wwnorton.com/books/key-to-the-cityLearn more about the National Zoning Atlas: https://www.zoningatlas.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

In January 2025, wildfires in Los Angeles killed at least 29 people, destroyed thousands of homes, and displaced thousands more. After the fires, Angelenos and their elected officials began figuring out what came next. On this episode of the Infill Podcast, our California Organizing Director, Leora Tanjuatco Ross, speaks with Azeen Khanmalek, Executive Director of the pro-housing advocacy group Abundant Housing LA, and Jordan Grimes, a Resilience Manager at the climate-focused Bay Area organization Greenbelt Alliance. In this episode, you'll get insights into some of the short and long-term implications of housing availability and affordability for people in LA after the fires. As we continue to see the effects of climate change in California and other areas, our guests dive into why dense housing is so critical to ensure that homes can be as resilient as possible and to mitigate the consequences of climate-related displacement. You'll also hear about different policies and lessons that elected officials can and should act on  to rebuild in the wake of the lost homes and to prepare for future climate disasters. Read our LA Fires Policy Memo: https://yimbyaction.org/blog/policy-memo-la-fires-and-impacts-on-housing/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@yimbyactionFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Everyone knows that the cost of living, especially housing, has reached a high that feels unsustainable for most Americans to maintain. So, what can we do to solve this problem? In 2024, the Chamber of Progress released its Democratic Cost of Living Agenda. The Agenda is a low-cost policy framework with actionable recommendations for legislators to help lower costs in several sectors for families. On this episode of the Infill podcast, YIMBY Action's Mariah Redfern speaks with the author of the Cost of Living Agenda, Dr. Gary Winslett. They discuss the policies that the Chamber of Progress suggests as solutions for high housing prices, why we must take new approaches to our housing policy, and how people can get involved. Read the Democratic Cost of Living Agenda: https://bringcostsdown.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on X: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/ 

On this episode of the Infill podcast, our Executive Director Laura Foote speaks with Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai'i. They discuss why housing is a priority issue for Senator Schatz, how folks are thinking about the housing shortage at all levels of government and the unique opportunity that Democrats and Republicans have to work together on this issue for Americans. Our nation's housing shortage is pushing residents out of their neighborhoods, exacerbating homelessness, and contributing to unequal outcomes in health, finances, and more. In this episode, Senator Schatz and Laura Foote discuss how we got here and what methods it will take to make community members and elected officials understand the importance of building more homes. Learn more about Senator Brian Schatz: https://www.schatz.senate.gov/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Law's Executive Director Sonja Trauss speaks with Dr. Adam Ozimek, Chief Economist for the Economic Innovation Group about their idea to get the federal government more involved in housing policy. Pro-housing advocates understand that we need to incentivize local governments to remove barriers to building new homes. The Economic Innovation Group has come up with a new idea called "Density Zones" to empower local governments to facilitate more building by incentivizing them with rewards from the federal government proportional to the number of new homes built. So, how would this work? The first step would be the federal government developing standardized zoning and building code drawn from best practices nationwide. Then, municipalities would have the ability to adopt this code for specific areas within their jurisdiction. These standardized best practices would help streamline building by providing a set of rules that developers can use to operate with. Finally, areas that meet the program's targets would be rewarded with "Density Dividends," which could be used to do things like building infrastructure or new schools to accommodate the new homes. Tune in to learn more about the ideas that the Economic Innovation Group are working on, and how they think "Density Zones" could make it easier for state and local governments to their tackle housing shortages. Learn more about Density Zones: https://agglomerations.substack.com/p/how-the-next-president-can-solveLearn more about the Economic Innovation Group: https://eig.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

In this episode of the Infill Podcast, YIMBY Law's Executive Director Sonja Trauss speaks with author Max Podemski about his new book "A Paradise of Small Houses: The Evolution, Devolution, and Potential Rebirth of Urban Housing." In his book, Podemski discusses the history of housing in the United States and the factors that drove housing production in our country's early days. Although today Americans typically view single-family detached homes as our American dream, Podemski tells the story of immigrants and working class communities whose dreams of dense, multi-family homes served as expressions of American ingenuity and social mobility. By looking at the history of cities like Boston and its triple deckers, or Los Angeles and its bungalow courts, we can see how the kinds of homes that cities are known for are tied to the the motivating factors for what types of housing was prioritized and why.  These lessons are particularly valuable today as our nation faces as shortage of homes, and Americans are seeking solutions for how to solve it. Our ideals about what kinds of homes should be prioritized in American culture are intrinsically tied to our historical views of class and race. Podemski's book gives us a unique lens into how these views have shaped our communities today. Tune in to hear more from Sonja Trauss and Max Podemski about "A Paradise of Small Houses," the history of housing in the US, and how our history is impacting us now. Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/Get the book: https://www.beacon.org/A-Paradise-of-Small-Houses-P2037.aspxArea Median Income Lookup: https://ami-lookup-tool.fanniemae.com/

Americans are struggling to stay afloat due to high housing prices caused by our nation's housing shortage. Fortunately, there is a growing number of voices advocating for pro-housing policy solutions. Up For Growth is a national, cross-sector member network committed to solving the housing shortage and affordability crisis. While many advocates focus on solutions to the housing shortage at the local and state levels, Up For Growth supports federal policies that will increase the number of homes throughout the country. On this episode of the Infill podcast, you'll hear from our Executive Director Laura Foote and Up For Growth's National Policy Director David Garcia about what the federal government's current attitude is on pro-housing policies, how we can inspire more bold policy solutions, and why it is critical to have bipartisan support for pro-housing legislation. In particular, one federal bill that Up For Growth and YIMBY Action are supporting is the YIMBY Act. In this episode you will learn more about what the YIMBY Act does to promote pro-housing solutions and housing affordability, as well as why we need to tell our congress members to act NOW to bring the YIMBY Act to a vote before the year ends. You can email your congress members to support the YIMBY Act using our online tool below! Email Your Congress Members About the YIMBY Act: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-representative-bring-the-yimby-act-to-a-voteLearn More about YIMBY Action: https://new.yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on X: https://x.com/yimbyactionFollow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyactionLearn more about Up For Growth: https://upforgrowth.org/

On this episode of the Infill Podcast, YIMBY Action's Business Membership Manager, Courtney Porcella, speaks to Ivory Innovation's Hannah Gable about trends in pro-housing policy, what legislation is being passed in different regions of the country, and what advocates can do to replicate pro-housing wins in more communities.Ivory Innovations is a nonprofit working to advance innovation around housing affordability in the United States. This Summer, Ivory Innovations launched their Housing Policies & Initiatives Database. The free, online database contains information on emerging, pro-housing policy innovations including federal, state, and local bills across four major, trending policy areas: "Yes in God's Backyard", office-to-residential conversions, social housing, and transit-oriented development.Tune in to hear insights from Hannah Gable on what kinds of pro-housing legislation she's seeing pick up traction, and what barriers and levers to passing legislation elected officials are thinking about. Be sure to dive into the database at the link below. If you'd like to see Ivory Innovations explore data on other policies, share your ideas on their feedback form linked below. Explore the Database: https://ivoryinnovations.org/housing-policies-databaseSuggest More Topics For Ivory Innovations: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-phvbFGcf69lS5X9H0NDIfsYoC0W7j0U1Flc47l6DwSw9Hg/viewform Learn More about YIMBY Action: https://new.yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on X: https://x.com/yimbyactionFollow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/ Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction

In 2020, U.S. census data analysis revealed that, for the first time, Native Hawai'ians living in the continental U.S. outnumbered those living in Hawaii. Redfin reports that the median home list price is currently $825,000.  High cost of living and a lack of affordable homes have continued to be huge challenges for natives and transplants living in Hawai'i. Listen to this episode of Infill to hear what advocates are doing to make homes more affordable.This year in honor of AAPI Heritage  Month, we wanted to highlight all of the amazing work that our Hawai'i YIMBY chapter is doing and how it is impacting native Hawai'ians on the islands.Listen in to hear our conversation with Hawai'i YIMBY volunteer leaders Damien Waikaloa and Matt Popovich. We spoke about how they got started in the YIMBY movement, the missing middle housing policies they're organizing around now, and why they think YIMBYism is so important to uplift Hawai'ians. Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/Learn more about Hawai'i YIMBY: https://hawaiiyimby.com/Follow Hawai'i YIMBY on Twitter: https://x.com/hiyimby/Follow Hawai'i YIMBY on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiiyimby/

Virginia is short 105,000 homes while rents have gone up 13% in the last 5 years. Despite housing costs rising astronomically, local governments are largely not stepping up to help facilitate or build more homes. That's why our local YIMBY chapters are taking matters into their own hands, and demanding action from State Officials. Tune in to this episode of Infill to hear from volunteer leaders from our chapters YIMBYs of NoVA, YIMBY Hampton Roads, and RVA YIMBY. They break down the four state-wide YIMBY bills they are advocating for, share insights on how they are learning to successfully work with state legislators and local coalition partners, and explain why grassroots organizing is critical to get elected officials to take action on housing. YIMBY volunteers in Virginia are not only bringing their state one step closer to a future of abundant, affordable, inclusive housing. They are also paving the way for YIMBYs in other states to learn strategies to build power in their communities and connect with new folks who share our vision for a better future. Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/Learn more about YIMBYs of NoVA: https://www.yimbysofnova.org/Learn more about RVA YIMBYs: https://rvayimby.org/Learn more about YIMBY Hampton Roads: https://yimbyhamptonroads.org/

Single stair reform is a powerful tool to make it easier and faster to build more homes. Cities like Seattle and New York are changing the way that they build multi-family housing to fill their neighborhoods with denser housing options. Now, advocates can help their own communities do the same. Single stair reform in housing advances more affordable and diverse housing options by allowing fewer staircases in apartment buildings while maintaining safety standards. YIMBY Action was joined by East Bay for Everyone and the Livable Communities Initiative for an in-depth discussion about organizing for local single stair reform. Listen to a panel of experts and organizers to learn more about how single stair reform works and what you can do to promote it in your community!Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/Learn more about East Bay for Everyone: https://eastbayforeveryone.org/Learn more about the Livable Communities Initiative: https://www.livablecommunitiesinitiative.com/

On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Law's Executive Director Sonja Trauss speaks with Richard Kahlenberg, author of Excluded: How Snob Zoning, Nimbyism, and Class Bias Build the Walls We Don't See. The pair discuss how U.S. housing policy segregates our neighborhoods by creating barriers to allowing folks of all incomes to live in high-resource communities through exclusionary zoning.According to Kahlenberg, class segregation has doubled since the 1970s. Although there are laws that prohibit explicit racial discrimination, many communities avoid legal repercussions by instead excluding potential neighbors based on income–  disproportionately impacting Black and Brown people.How does Kahlenberg believe we can correct this class-based exclusion in housing? One idea of his is a National Economic Fair Housing Act to give people the ability to sue communities that exclude them based on income. Tune in to hear more thoughts from Kahlenberg on what kinds of policies he believes will integrate our neighborhoods, lower the cost of housing, and dismantle barriers to creating more homes in all communities. Get the Book: https://www.rjjulia.com/yimbyLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

The United States' efforts to provide accessible and affordable homes for all individuals have fallen short. The Kelsey, a disability rights advocacy group, is pioneering disability-forward housing solutions that are accessible and inclusive.In this episode, Laura Foote, executive director of YIMBY Action sits down with Allie and Hunter from the Kelsey to discuss the VITAL Act, a piece of federal pro-housing legislation. The passage of this act provides a powerful solution to increasing access to secure, affordable, and inclusive housing for individuals with disabilities and senior citizens.Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/Learn more about the Kelsey: https://thekelsey.org/Follow The Kelsey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheKelseyMoreFollow The Kelsey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekelseymoreFollow The Kelsey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekelseymore

Affordable housing is absolutely essential, but there are so many obstacles that prevent it from being funded and built. In this episode, YIMBY Action Executive Director sits down with Congressman Maxwell Frost to talk about how he's working to remove those obstacles at the federal level. Congressman Frost is the first Gen Z candidate to get elected to Congress! Before being elected, he helped lead our Orlando Chapter, Orlando YIMBY. Both YIMBY Action and Orlando YIMBY endorsed him in 2022, and we're excited to have another YIMBY in Congress! If you're ready to get involved in the pro-housing movement, join YIMBY Action as a Member! Members get access to a vibrant online community with thousands of advocates and experts. Members also get access to exclusive events, trainings, and other perks! Plus, if you join in August 2023, you get a free shirt

Hear from YIMBY Action's Alex Melendrez and Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California's Abram Diaz as they discuss updates on California pro-housing legislation and their work in the fight for abundant, affordable housing. Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on X (formerly known as Twitter): https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@yimbyactionFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

One of our fastest-growing Chapters, YIMBYs of Northern Virginia, recently celebrated the legalization of "missing middle" housing in Arlington, Virginia. This means that multifamily buildings with up to six homes were legalized in neighborhoods that had previously only allowed single-family detached homes.In this episode, Jane Natoli, our SF Organizing Director, sits down with two Leaders from the YIMBYs of Northern Virginia, Jane Green and Alex Goyette. They discuss what it took to win in Arlington and how they plan to apply what they learned to a new opportunity to advocate for more homes in Alexandria. Links: Learn more about YIMBYs of NoVA: https://www.yimbysofnova.org/homeRead about the win in Arlington: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/03/22/arlington-missing-middle-vote-zoning/Read about the projects that are already being proposed under the missing middle program: https://www.arlnow.com/2023/07/06/new-more-than-a-dozen-missing-middle-permit-applications-are-in-the-works-so-far/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

What if we could preserve the environment, increase housing affordability, and reduce car dependency all at once? That's exactly what Urban Environmentalists advocate for. In this episode, our Environmental Director Joanna Gubman sits down with Urban Environmentalist Leader Robert Spragg and Chicago Alderman Matt Martin. They discuss the importance of Urban Environmentalism, the uniqueness of what the movement looks like in Chicago, and what's next for their advocacy. Links: Learn more about Urban Environmentalists: https://www.urbanenvironmentalists.org/Read a recent Op-Ed from our Chicago Chapter Leaders about what's possible for housing affordability in the city:https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-chicago-housing-crisis-adu-three-flat-20230602-cdsfnykx4ndndazxxxq627iqcq-story.htmlFollow Urban Environmentalists on Twitter: https://twitter.com/UrbanEnviroIL Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Kylie Clark wrote an email to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to alert them about an anti-housing referendum in the town where she worked. The Town Council's reaction was extreme and illegal. Listen to Kylie's story as she sits down with our National Chapter Manager, Alex Melendrez. Links:Read about the censure: https://losgatan.com/council-censures-commissioner-over-white-anti-housing-men-comment/Read about the censure being revoked: https://losgatan.com/censure-of-clark-reversed-after-aclu-threat/https://www.redbluffdailynews.com/2023/03/09/aclu-calls-censure-of-los-gatos-commissioner-unconstitutional/Learn more about housing elements and our campaign to make them fair and equitable: https://www.fairhousingelements.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

In March, we assembled some of California state legislature's most powerful pro-housing champions to discuss their latest legislative efforts to alleviate California's housing shortage and affordability crisis.Hear from Assembly Housing Committee Chair Buffy Wicks, Senate Housing Committee Chair Scott Wiener, and Assembly Social Housing Select Committee Chair Alex Lee on their plans to help get more homes built in California. They discussed CA legislation that aims to streamline housing production, particularly for affordable housing, make it easier for non-profits and religious institutions to build housing, and create mechanisms to support social housing in the state for residents at all income levels.Learn more about how state leaders in California plan to tackle the housing shortage, help supply more affordable housing, and organize pro-housing advocates to work together to support key legislation. Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/Learn more about SB 423: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article275357451.htmlLearn more about SB 4: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-06/california-churches-nonprofit-colleges-could-build-homes-on-their-land-with-new-billLearn more about AB 309: https://milpitasbeat.com/assemblymember-alex-lee-wants-to-bring-social-housing-to-california/https://www.californiasocialhousing.org/ 

There are an estimated 2.4 million farmworkers in the United States. Farmworkers across the country are doing some of the most essential work in our society, but they are not given access to acceptable housing options. Challenges in supply, affordability, and safety are posing a huge threat to farmworkers. On Cesar Chavez Day YIMBY Action's Alex Melendrez had a conversation with Rudy Espinoza, YIMBY Action Board Member and longtime housing and farmworker activist, and Veronica Z. Garcia who is the Chief Real Estate Development Officer with Peoples Self Help Housing in San Luis Obispo, CA. They spoke about the landscape of farmworker housing in California and nationally, how systemic barriers are impacting farmers as they seek to find safe and affordable housing, and what YIMBYs can do to mobilize for more farmworker housing.Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/ Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/ Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/ Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

For 40 years, California has analyzed upcoming housing needs based on populations across its cities and required all local governments to submit plans to illustrate how they will contribute more housing in their areas to help the State meet its housing goals. This is called the California housing elements process. Despite the fact that submitting a compliant housing element is part of state law, NIMBY cities have continued to lie about where they plan to build housing in their plans—  or have decided to not attempt to submit a plan at all. Now, YIMBYs have stepped in.With the growing set of eyes on each city to help alleviate the housing shortage, YIMBY Action and YIMBY Law are inviting all property owners to take matters into their own hands using a tool called the Builder's Remedy. The Builder's Remedy is a California state law that forces cities with non-compliant housing elements to automatically approve any housing project as long as at least 20% of the homes are low-income or 100% of them are moderate-income.Get a deep dive from our Executive Directors, Laura Foote and Sonja Trauss, and Emeryville Vice Mayor Courtney Welch about how California cities have been handling their housing elements processes, the consequences for noncompliant cities, and how property owners can take advantage of this open season on state zoning policies. Learn more about the Builder's Remedy: https://www.yimbylaw.org/buildersremedyFollow Vice Mayor Courtney Welch: https://twitter.com/cw4emeryvilleFollow YIMBY Law on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Yimby_LawFollow YIMBY Law on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YIMBYLawLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

In January 2023 California Assembly Member Alex Lee introduced Assembly Bill 309, a Social Housing Bill that aims to increase access to housing for all Californians. But how does social housing help solve the housing shortage? Our Executive Director, Laura Foote, recently spoke with Assembly Member Lee and Darrell Owens of East Bay for Everyone about the California Social Housing Bill. They talked through the big picture for Lee's Social Housing Bill, discussed the history of social housing in the U.S. and abroad, and answered some common questions about how social housing works in practice!Learn more about AB 309: https://www.californiasocialhousing.org/Follow Assembly Member Lee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/alex_leeLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Last month, we voted for dozens of pro-housing candidates across the country. The YIMBY voting bloc continues to grow, and we're seeing that growth in dozens of pro-housing wins this year. NIMBY voices are losing their influence.YIMBY Action Board Member Anthony Dedousis recently spoke with Councilmember-elect Jesse Zwick of Santa Monica, and Councilmember-elect Chelsea Byers of West Hollywood. They both got involved in local government to help tackle homelessness. Now, they're sharing insights on how running pro-housing campaigns helped them win their races and how they plan to push pro-housing policies in their City Council roles.About Chelsea Byers:Chelsea is a social impact strategist and community organizer. She currently serves as a Human Services Commissioner in the City of West Hollywood. She is also an appointee to the 6th Cycle Housing Element Task Force in West Hollywood.About Jesse Zwick:Jesse is a public policy and communications advisor, a renter advocate. Before getting involved in local politics, Jesse was a journalist for DC's The New Republic Magazine and was a director and screenwriter. He worked on projects such as Nashville, Parenthood, and About Alex. Links:Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Many local governments in California exacerbate the housing shortage by ignoring state-mandated requirements for new housing projects— especially when it comes to affordable housing. The CA Builder's Remedy, a consequence of state housing law noncompliance, might be the key to getting more housing built anyway.In California, if a city does not plan for the number of homes required by the state, the city has to approve any housing project as long as at least 20 percent of the homes are low-income or 100 percent of them are moderate-income. This process is what we call the Builder's Remedy.YIMBY Law spoke with Dave Rand, a land use lawyer who is working on several builder's remedy projects in Southern California, most notably in Santa Monica. Get Dave's insights into how the Builder's Remedy may be a pathway to new, affordable housing units in California, what challenges threaten Builder's Remedy projects, and how we can overcome those challenges.Links:More on the Builder's Remedy: https://www.yimbylaw.org/buildersremedyMore on Santa Monica vs The Builder's Remedy: https://www.yimbylaw.org/law-journal/whos-afraid-of-some-extra-heightLearn more about YIMBY Law: https://yimbylaw.org/who-we-are/Follow YIMBY Law on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Yimby_LawLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/ 

The housing shortage has impacted communities across the country. But have you ever wondered how it has affected specific groups? Or how those most impacted by the housing shortage have responded to its consequences? YIMBY Action's Organizing Manager Alex Melendrez spoke with Irving Torres and Noelia Corzo about how leaders in the Latinx community have been pushing the pro-housing movement forward. Irving is the Director of Community Engagement at All Home, an organization focused on creating economic mobility opportunities for extremely low-income (ELI) people. Noelia was a YIMBY Action-endorsed candidate for San Mateo County Supervisor, and serves as a Board Trustee for the San Mateo-Foster City School District. Get insights into how Irving and Noelia got started in pro-housing advocacy, their takes on how the housing crisis impacts the Latinx community, and what these leaders are doing to create change. Links:Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

When a Los Angeles developer attempted to build a multi-family apartment building, the LA City Government illegally denied the project. That's when YIMBY Law stepped in. In this episode, you'll hear from YIMBY Law's Executive Director Sonja Trauss, and YIMBY Law legal counsel Ryan Patterson about the details of the lawsuit and why it has implications for zoning across California.Links:Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/   

Dozens of pro-housing laws were passed in California this year, but how will they impact the future of housing in the state? In this episode, our Policy Director Rafa Sonnenfeld sits down with Steve Wertheim to talk about the top pro-housing bills of the year and how they will help address the housing shortage that drives up prices in communities across the state. Steve is a Senior Consultant with the California Assembly Housing Committee. He works with Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who is the Chair of the Housing and Community Development Committee and a housing champion for the YIMBY movement. Links:Read YIMBY Action's top 10 list of California housing bills: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BIuVU3pF6ynomyqoLhmBCAnbpFRNdCra/view?usp=sharingLearn more about Buffy Wicks' work on housing: https://buffywicks.com/record/housing-homelessness/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Come meet our Orlando chapter!  In this episode, our Volunteer Podcast Producer Ed sits down with Austin Valle who co-founded our chapter Orlando YIMBY. Austin talks about why he cares about housing and how Orlando YIMBY is fighting for abundant, affordable housing in Orlando. He shares what it was like to start a chapter, how his personal story drives his activism, and how his group is working with their neighbors to welcome even more people to the community they love.  Links: Learn more about Orlando YIMBY: https://www.moreneighborsdallas.org/ Follow Austin Valle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/austinvalleFollow Orlando YIMBY on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrlandoYIMBYFollow Orlando YIMBY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoYIMBY/Follow Orlando YIMBY on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orlandoyimby/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/ Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/ Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/ Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Why must the good die young? This year, California Assemblymember Alex Lee introduced the California Social Housing Act (AB 2053). YIMBY Action sponsored the bill, organized in support of it, and worked with fellow supporting organizations to get it passed. The bill got through several hurdles but ultimately died in the legislature several months ago. In this episode of Infill, Sonja Trauss, one of the founding members of the YIMBY movement, sits down with Paul Williams, founder of the Center for Public Enterprise. They discuss social housing, details about the California Social Housing Act, and why the bill died.  Links: Read about the California Social Housing Act: https://www.californiasocialhousing.org/Read the full Social Housing Bill: https://trackbill.com/bill/california-assembly-bill-2053-the-social-housing-act/2226585/ Follow Paul Williams on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PEWilliams_Follow the Center for Public Enterprise on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PubEnterpriseLearn more about the Center for Public Enterprise: https://www.publicenterprise.org/ Follow Sonja Trauss on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SonjaTraussLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Come meet the founders of our Dallas chapter! In this episode, our National Chapter Manager Jes sits down with DeDe and Adam who founded our chapter More Neighbors Dallas. The two of them share why they care about housing and how they're fighting for abundant, affordable housing in Dallas. They share what it was like to start a chapter, how their previous experiences help drive their activism, and how they're working with their neighbors to welcome even more people to the community they love. Links: Learn more about More Neighbors Dallas: https://www.moreneighborsdallas.org/Follow More Neighbors Dallas on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NeighborsDTXFollow More Neighbors Dallas on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeighborsDTXFollow More Neighbors Dallas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moreneighborsdallas/Follow More Neighbors Dallas on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moreneighborsdallas Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

The first draft of San Francisco's housing plan was released last week and guests Chris Elmendorf and David Broockman talk about what it means for the city as well as the state overall. Cities across California are creating housing plans (aka "housing elements") that will be in effect for the next eight years. YIMBYs have successfully advocated for laws that help make sure this process is especially impactful. Because of these laws, the housing element process can potentially add millions of homes in communities across the state. The California State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) plays an important role in making sure that cities comply with these laws. This is in contrast to the housing element process just a few years ago, when there were few methods in place to ensure housing plans were practical and ultimately implemented. Now, there are several consequences for submitting a non-compliant plan. Chris Elmendorf is a UC Davis law professor and David Broockman is a professor at UC Berkeley.  Links: Learn more about housing elements: https://yimbyaction.org/rhna/Volunteer to help make housing plans fair across the state: https://www.fairhousingelements.org/volunteer Learn more about 2700 Sloat: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/S-F-s-next-west-side-housing-battle-will-be-on-16710991.phphttps://sfrichmondreview.com/2022/03/08/new-housing-proposed-on-sloat-blvd-between-45th-46th-aves/ Learn more about Shawn Kumagai: https://www.shawnkumagai.com/Follow Shawn Kumagai on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShawnKumagai Follow Chris Elmendorf on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CSElmendorfFollow David Broockman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dbroockman Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

In this episode, our volunteer podcast producer Ed talks with two of our leads from San Luis Obispo County, California! Hear from Krista and Kevin on what they've been working on and how they're advocating for housing in their community!They also talk about how SB 9 and SB 10 have impacted SLO County. Both bills passed in California last year, and they became law at the beginning of 2022. SB 9 legalizes duplexes and lot splits so up to four homes can be built on lots that currently only have a single-family detached home. SB 10 makes it easier for cities and towns to allow multifamily buildings that include up to ten homes. Links:Learn more about SLOCo YIMBY: https://www.slocoyimby.org/Follow SLOCo YIMBY on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SlocoYimbyFollow SLOCo YIMBY on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sloco_yimby/Follow Krista on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kinder_fiercerLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

YIMBYs in California advocate for laws to address the housing shortage and housing affordability crisis, but what happens after the Governor signs them? Housing law enforcement is an important but often less flashy part of the process of making housing abundant and affordable. Housing law enforcement is possible because of volunteers, organizations like YIMBY Law, the CA Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Attorney General's office. Working together, we're able to hold cities accountable to the laws that are passed, including dozens of California cities that don't have housing plans that are compliant with state law. In this episode, Louis Mirante from California YIMBY sits down with David Pai, Deputy Attorney General in the Housing Strike Force, and David Zisser, the Assistant Deputy Director in the HCD Housing Accountability Unit. They talk about what housing law enforcement looks like at the state level and when they intervene. Special thanks to our friends at California YIMBY for hosting this event! To get involved and support housing law enforcement in California, become a watchdog! https://www.fairhousingelements.org/volunteer Links:Watch the video on YouTube (with all the slides mentioned): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWveuGw7C3kBecome a housing element watchdog: https://www.fairhousingelements.org/volunteerLearn more about housing elements: https://www.fairhousingelements.org/explainerLearn more about California YIMBY's work: https://cayimby.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

A new report from Circulate San Diego shows us what's possible with density bonus programs. Laura sits down with Colin Parent and Jesse O'Sullivan to talk about their Homerun for Homes report that outlines the outcomes from the program. Links:Check out the Homerun for Homes report: https://circulatesd.org/homerunforhomesLearn more about Colin Parent and Jesse O'Sullivan at Circulate SD: https://www.circulatesd.org/staff_and_internsMore from Colin Parent on his article "City-Wide: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth," which outlines how housing reform is more likely to be successful when it's made across a larger geography: https://www.circulatesd.org/citywideLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

California Governor Newsom released a revised version of the state's budget on May 13th, so what does it mean for housing? Laura Foote sits down with Michael Lane, the State Policy Director for SPUR Urbanist, to discuss the details.SPUR is a nonprofit public policy organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. They bring people together from across the political spectrum to develop solutions to the big problems cities face. They are recognized as a leading civic planning organization and respected for its independent and holistic approach to urban issues. Links:More details on the California State budget: https://ebudget.ca.govLearn more about SPUR: https://www.spur.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

Electing pro-housing legislators is one of the most efficient ways to address the housing shortage.YIMBY Action and our chapters across California have worked hard to find the best pro-housing candidates running for the state legislature. And these two candidates have gone above and beyond to demonstrate their willingness to support housing.Hear from Jon Wizard and Giselle Hale as they talk about their backgrounds on housing and the impact that we can all have on these races and others.Jon Wizard is running for State Assembly District 30, which covers the California Central Coast from just south of Santa Cruz through Monterey, all the way down past San Luis Obispo.Giselle Hale is running to represent Assembly District 21, which covers the peninsula including Brisbane, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, San Mateo, Foster City, San Carlos, Redwood City, and East Palo Alto. Links:Support Jon Wizard's campaign: https://electwizard.com/Support Giselle Hale's campaign: https://www.gisellehale.com/See YIMBY Action's 2022 endorsements: https://yimbyaction.org/endorsements/

San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney won the special election for California Assembly District 17 on April 19! By using a strong pro-housing message, his campaign demonstrated just how compelling a pro-housing message is for voters. Pro-housing platforms hold a lot more power than they did just a few years ago.Housing moves voters. So many of us have been directly affected by the housing shortage and we're ready to make the change we NEED to see in our communities.The YIMBY voting bloc is growing.Hear from Assemblymember-elect Matt Haney about his winning campaign message and how other candidates outside of San Francisco can use similar messages to get out the vote! Links:SF Chronicle coverage: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Matt-Haney-s-Assembly-victory-is-a-coup-for-17108666.phpLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Last week, YIMBY Law announced three lawsuits against San Francisco and Los Angeles for not approving general plan compliant housing projects. Join YIMBY Action Executive Director Laura Foote and YIMBY Law Executive Director Sonja Trauss discuss the ins and outs of these lawsuits, some of the reasons cities give for not approving housing projects, and how you can be involved in holding your city accountable too. Links: Think your city is breaking a housing law? Submit it here: https://www.yimbylaw.org/submit-issueSee the full press release about the lawsuits on YIMBY Law's website: https://www.yimbylaw.org/pressDonate to YIMBY Law to help keep up enforcement! https://www.yimbylaw.org/donateFollow YIMBY Law on Twitter for their hot takes and city shenanigan updates: https://twitter.com/Yimby_LawFollow YIMBY Law on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YIMBYLaw/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

The four candidates for Assembly District 17, the East Side of San Francisco, go head to head on housing policy. We dug in with David Campos, Matt Haney, Bilal Mahmood, and Thea Selby on their perspectives on California's biggest problem: housing.Hosted by SF YIMBY, Northern Neighbors, Urban Environmentalists, Grow the Richmond, Streets for People, and Southside Forward.Moderated by SF YIMBY Board Member Brandon Powell, with militant timekeeping by YIMBY Action Executive Director Laura Foote.Questions provided by YIMBY Leads and Members.Links:See our endorsement for this race: https://yimbyaction.org/endorsements/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

What is San Francisco's Small Sites Program? What does it do? Who benefits from it?YIMBY Action Executive Director Laura Foote and Mission Housing Executive Director Sam Moss break it down and talk about the arguments in support of the program and against it. Learn more about the Small Sites Program: https://sfmohcd.org/small-sites-programLearn more about Mission Housing: https://missionhousing.org/Follow Mission Housing on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissionHousingFollow Mission Housing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionHousingLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

All the talk in Congress about the Build Back Better Act and the federal infrastructure package is confusing. It seems to change so quickly, it's hard to keep up. What got passed? What got cut? What's next? Where should we focus our advocacy? YIMBY Action Executive Director Laura Foote talks with Joey Lindstrom, Field Director at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, who gives an update on what made it across the finish line for housing in the Federal Infrastructure Package and what's to come.  

In this episode of the Housing Changemaker Series, Laura Foote is joined by Roderick Hall and Madeline Baron who are both Project Managers at ECONorthwest. They discuss Up For Growth research and policy, challenges urban planners face, and the importance of research and data analysis in housing. Roderick Hall is a project manager at ECONorthwest with a background in research and data analytics, housing finance, community organizing, and program design and evaluation. Rod joined ECONorthwest in 2021 and oversees a range of projects that include housing policy and planning, market studies and development feasibility, displacement risk analysis and anti-displacement strategy, and structural inequities Madeline specializes in affordable housing, finance, research, and policy analysis. At ECONorthwest, she evaluates policy solutions across the entire spectrum of the housing market – from tax measures to fund permanent supportive housing and alleviate homelessness to community development efforts at mitigating displacement, equitable housing development surrounding major infrastructure projects, and feasibility analysis of missing middle and market-rate housing development. Her work encompasses statistical analysis, strategic planning, real estate development, finance and funding, and scenario planning. This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY Links:Hear more about ECONorthwest: https://econw.com/about Follow Roderick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoderickDHall1 Follow ECONorthwest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ECONorthwest Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

In this episode of the Housing Changemaker Series, Laura Foote is joined by Bryan Greene, Vice President, Policy Advocacy, National Association of REALTORS. They discuss fair housing policy, equity in homeownership, and Bryan's background at HUD and beyond. Bryan oversees all legislative and regulatory advocacy on behalf of the association's 1.4 million members. Before joining NAR, Bryan served for ten years as the highest-ranking career official in HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), where he oversaw the policy direction and operational management of the 600-person office enforcing the nation's housing anti-discrimination laws. Under Bryan's leadership as FHEO General Deputy Assistant Secretary, HUD pursued large-scale, high-profile cases that addressed systemic discrimination and provided widespread relief. Bryan also managed HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) and HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which together provide over $70 million to state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations fighting discrimination in local communities. This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY Links:Hear more from Bryan on Fair Housing: https://www.nar.realtor/center-for-realtor-development-podcast/ensuring-fair-housing-for-all-with-nars-bryan-greene Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

In this episode of the Housing Changemaker Series, Laura Foote sits down with Nicole Macri, who represents the 43rd legislative district of Washington. She serves as vice-chair of the Healthcare and Wellness Committee and is a member of the Finance and Appropriations Committees. She is also a member of the Washington State Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. Nicole has more than 20 years of experience championing progressive causes on issues around affordable housing, homelessness, human services, and mental health. She has been at the forefront of the Housing First movement nationally, and is a recognized leader in practical and effective strategies that end the homelessness of people living with serious disabilities. This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY Links:Follow Rep. Macri on Twitter: https://twitter.com/votenicolemacri Learn more about Rep. Macri: https://votenicole.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY In this episode, Laura Foote sits down with Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau, who has done substantial work on housing in his state. He grew up in Affordable Housing, and his experience informs his work on increasing Affordable Housing in Maine. A bill he sponsored recently passed in the state that will establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine, and he speaks to the challenges the state faces such as the quality of housing, the impact of housing on generational poverty, and the importance of housing security. Links:Speaker Fecteau's philosophy regarding Maine's affordable housing issue: https://ryanfecteau.com/affordable-housing/ Follow Speaker Fecteau on Twitter: https://twitter.com/speakerfecteau Maine's Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions started meeting in August: https://ryanfecteau.com/2021/08/maines-new-commission-to-increase-housing-opportunities-begins-work-this-week/ Speaker Fecteau's bill that passed this year paved the way for this Commission: https://ryanfecteau.com/2021/06/affordable-housing-legislation-sponsored-by-speaker-fecteau-signed-into-law/ One-minute news clip about Speaker Fecteau's affordable housing work: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerFecteau/videos/437420190699725 At the start of 2020, Governor Mills signed Speaker Fecteau's bill making the largest statewide investment in affordable housing:https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-signs-fecteaus-affordable-housing-bill-law-2020-02-12 Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

Did you know San Diego recently claimed that housing would be placed on top of a cemetery?? California cities are going through a once-every-eight-year process where they have to create housing plans. The state determines how many homes they'll need based on population growth, job growth, and other factors. But lots of cities have been trying to get away with plans that don't make sense. San Diego's claim that homes will go on top of a cemetery is just one example, and we need to make sure cities all over the state make plans that are actually able to be executed. That's where Jon Wizard, the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements, and the team at YIMBY Law come in. Along with hundreds of volunteers, they're keeping an eye on these housing plans and sending important information to the state (specifically California HCD) in order to hold cities accountable. Join Executive Director Laura Foote in a conversation with Jon Wizard, Policy Director at the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements as they discuss what San Diego's housing element means for other housing plans throughout the state. Learn more about the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements and sign up to be a Watchdog: https://www.fairhousingelements.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action and become a member: https://yimbyaction.org/

This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the conference. The conference starts on September 21 and is all online. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBYIn this episode, Laura Foote sits down with David A. Williams, who serves as the Director of Policy Outreach at Opportunity Insights, a research and public policy lab based at Harvard University dedicated to using big data to improve upward mobility in America.Learn more about David: https://opportunityinsights.org/team/david-williams/Learn more about Up For Growth: https://www.upforgrowth.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action (become a member in September and get a free Legalize Housing shirt!): https://yimbyaction.org/join

This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the conference. The conference starts on September 21 and is all online. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBYIn this episode, Laura Foote sits down with Salim Furth, a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. His research focuses on housing production and land use regulation and has been published in Critical Housing Analysis and the IZA Journal of Labor Policy. He has testified before several state legislatures as well as the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. He frequently advises local government officials on zoning reform and housing affordability. Learn more about Salim: https://www.mercatus.org/scholars/salim-furthLearn more about Up For Growth: https://www.upforgrowth.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action (become a member in September and get a free Legalize Housing shirt!): https://yimbyaction.org/join

This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the conference. The conference starts on September 21 and is all online. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBYThis episode, Laura Foote sits down with Chris Leinberger, a land use strategist, developer, professor, researcher and author. Currently, Mr. Leinberger is Managing Partner and Co-founder, Places Platform, LLC, which assesses place-based economic, social equity and public health by measuring and managing economic growth, net fiscal impact, real estate valuation, achieving social equity and increasing public health. Learn more about the Christopher: https://chrisleinberger.com/Learn more about Up For Growth: https://www.upforgrowth.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action (become a member in September and get a free Legalize Housing shirt!): https://yimbyaction.org/join