Millennial ‘YIMBYs’ and boomer ‘NIMBYs’: Generational views on housing affordability in the United States

Abstract

This article examines housing activism in five American cities using interviews with millennial-age housing activists, seeking more apartment development, and baby boomers who are members of neighbourhood groups that oppose growth. Many of the groups supporting growth have banded together under the banner of the ‘Yes in My Backyard’ (YIMBY) movement which seeks fewer zoning laws and pushes for market-rate rental housing. In desirable cities with thriving job opportunities, housing costs are pricing out not only low-income renters but also the middle class. The millennial activists sampled blame baby boomers for the lack of affordable housing because of resistance to higher density construction in neighbourhoods with single-family homes (characterising these people as having a ‘Not in My Backyard’ [NIMBY] mindset). The research shows that boomers and millennials not only disagree over urban growth but also more fundamental questions of what makes a liveable city.

NIMBYism as a barrier to housing and social mix in San Francisco

“…Poorer, younger, and "ethnic" residents (particularly renters), while pro-development and pro-affordable housing, remain underrepresented. This issue is not simply generational, as proposed by YIMBY supporters: in the US context, class and race are central to the housing precariat (Holleran, 2020).…”

“…An offshoot of YIMBYism is 'Public Housing in My Backyard' (PHIMBYism), whose followers advocate exclusively for public housing (Schneider, 2018). While YIMBYs have the support of developers and conservatives, as might be expected (Walker, 2018), many members are trained in urban planning, design, and architecture and believe that by supporting higher-density, more compact development they are following the profession's consensus (Holleran, 2020).…”

“…While YIMBY activists propose market-rate housing as an important solution, they do not necessarily support all new development indiscriminately. Their goals are not simply to disempower planning departments, eliminate red tape, and give developers free reign (Holleran, 2020). Many YIMBYs encourage housing development that caters to people from all walks of life and all income levels (Brown & Glanz, 2018;Schneider, 2018).…”

“…YIMBYs advocate for increases in housing supply at the regional level too-not only in San Francisco-so that suburban cities share some of the infrastructure burden and absorb some of the population (Holleran, 2020). Also, YIMBYs believe that housing proposals need to follow sound and sustainable planning principles if they are to be approved.…”

“…Previous research has suggested that planning meetings are dominated by older retirees from the baby boom cohort (Einstein et al 2019;Holleran, 2020). These are not necessarily "country club types": in more progressive cities, NIMBYism is sometimes the province of "educated older hippie types" (Holleran, 2020:12).…”