CommentsDEEGAN ON LA-Possibly energized by the vacuum of the March 2017 defeat of Measure S, which would have imposed a moratorium for up to two years on construction that increases development density, among other strictures, comes an organized, visibly youngish, social media savvy group named Abundant Housing LA. They call themselves “an all-volunteer housing advocacy organization” and they are attempting to hit the delete key for the letters NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) and enter the acronym YIMBY (yes-in-my- backyard).
The YIMBY agenda appears to favor the type of future Los Angeles they want to live in, which could include higher density, more affordable housing, and possibly a greater emphasis on bikes and public transit, instead of automobiles, to get around. This is the “new urbanism” for the next generation coming into the housing market as they look for their place in a city that continues to grapple with the conversation of “horizontal and low slung” to “tall and vertical.” They are saying “YIMBY” to support their housing agenda. The contest between NIMBYs and YIMBYs could be an inflection point in the affordable housing debate.
The NIMBYs have a long record of success defeating or mitigating housing projects. Their agitation reached a peak with the Measure S ballot proposition last year which their opponents portrayed as anti-development. Following that measure’s defeat, the Abundant Housing LA group is trying to become a voice, using the slogan “Working for more housing of all types to improve the lives of all,” a sentiment that recalls 60s era idealism.
They have vowed to work with lawmakers on city and state levels to help push their housing agenda. For now, they are collaborating with State Senator Scott Wiener (SD11), who has launched a California YIMBY petition drive to support what some media and political leaders see as his onerous SB-827 “transit-rich housing bonus bill” that has a menu of exemptions for developers.
Blowback to Wiener has been swift and determined. The Los Angeles Times editorialized against the proposed bill, and Councilmember David Ryu (CD4) introduced a City Council Resolution in which he succinctly describes what he sees as the dangers to Los Angeles of SB 827, pointing out that:
- It “empowers the State to override local zoning laws to let developers build taller and more densely around rail stations and bus lines.”
- It would “let developers construct buildings between four and eight stories tall with no parking minimums and limited design review, even if local zoning codes preclude it.”
- Affordable housing is needed “but not at the expense of local control over land use and community-driven planning.”
- This bill “would allow the construction of housing developments near major transit stops without compliance with local land use regulations.”
Ryu wants the City’s 2017-18 State Legislative Program to include “opposition to SB 827, which would allow the construction of housing developments near major transit stops without compliance with local land use regulations.” Ryu’s resolution, which has attracted significant community impact statements supporting it, is now pending in the Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
As the affordable housing debate heats up there is an emerging creative idea for followers of Abundant Housing LA and anyone else feeling crushed by unaffordable rents and a lack of affordable homes to purchase. It’s the concept of WeLive’s co-housing.
that could become a part of the infill we will see as the city undoubtedly densifies. WeLive is the next iteration of WeWork’s successful shared office concept, but this time featuring housing that depends on sharing, not size. This “concept living” consists of a private bedroom with bath and kitchen along with common-space sharing of a living room, dining area, and indoor/outdoor entertainment spaces. It’s something that could draw interest from Millennials, but is applicable to all generations, and may be especially attractive to Boomers who came of age in the tribal atmosphere of the 60s and may want to retire into that sort of affordable, communal living arrangement.
With the emergence of groups like Abundant Housing LA, and others that may follow, the NIMBYs now have something new to face in their backyards: the YIMBYs.
(Tim Deegan, is a civic activist whose DEEGAN ON LA weekly column about city planning, new urbanism, the environment, and the homeless appears in CityWatch. Tim can be reached at [email protected].) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
