YIMBYs Are a Threat to Rent Control and Affordable Housing
ZONING POLICIES - On paper, YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) has a nice ring to it. The reality is that this is a big tech, big developer, and libertarian-funded movement designed to eliminate obstacles for real estate interests in building high-end luxury housing that is unaffordable for most.
YIMBY groups generally reject rent control and lack dedication to developing affordable housing.
These groups are known by names like California YIMBY, Abundant Housing, YIMBY LA, YIMBY Action, and Housing Action Coalition.
YIMBY groups embrace trickle-down, supply-side economics, also known as Reaganomics. This policy, which claims that constructing luxury housing will lead to a surplus of homes, thereby reducing rents and satisfying demand with increased supply, has proven unsuccessful. Regarding rents, this approach has never proven effective.
YIMBY groups have recently opposed state ballot measures to strengthen rent control. They also pushed for lowering the affordable housing percentage required in new construction, eliminating necessary parking for renters, and weakening LA’s ULA mansion tax, which funds tenant resources like legal and rental assistance and eviction prevention.
The core principles of YIMBY organizations include advocating for increased density through upzoning, reduced regulatory burdens, and housing development responsive to market demands. These policies frequently result in gentrification, which displaces low-income communities of color.
They are not advocating for affordable housing. This is about making way for increased construction, reduced regulations, and greater profits for those who build and invest. YIMBY arguments are framed with progressive language, yet their core politics are still very much about market fundamentalism.
A troubling development is the adoption of YIMBY talking points by some Democrats. When Democrats move away from rent control and towards YIMBY organizations, they are prioritizing real estate companies over the working families who have historically supported them, effectively abandoning tenants.
Simply put, opposing rent control means you aren’t advocating for affordability. You’re championing the cause of people who profit big time from unaffordable housing.
YIMBY proponents identify exclusionary zoning policies as the primary issue, meaning laws that limit building size and type in areas, frequently those composed mainly of single-family residences.
Advocated by segregationists, exclusionary zoning policies were kept in place for decades by NIMBY “not in my backyard” homeowners who opposed any changes that could affect their “neighborhood character.” The racist origins of exclusionary zoning are undeniable. Abolishing them is absolutely justified.
Resolving the housing crisis is fundamentally a political and economic challenge, not one solved by superficial technical fixes. Fixing it doesn’t require zoning reform, nor is it enough on its own. Depending on this zoning reform to create more housing, especially for low-income individuals, is doomed to fail.
Major obstacles to construction include high interest rates, rising building costs, and developers’ land speculation. The growth of corporate landlords provides new challenges to safeguard tenants against rent hikes and evictions, regardless of new building development.
Assistance is not required for the construction of new luxury housing. It has been and continues to be built. To guarantee the construction of truly affordable housing, we need both a commitment and legislation. It’s also crucial to have laws that protect and preserve the affordable housing that already exists.
The elimination of the Costa-Hawkins Housing Act and the Ellis Act is essential for enacting stronger rent control laws. These existing state acts hinder local governments from effectively preventing displacement and safeguarding affordable, rent-controlled housing.
Larry Gross is Executive Director of the Coalition for Economic Survival, Regional Director for the California Democratic Party, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee Poverty Council, and a former President and 2014–2024 member of the Los Angeles City Board of Animal Services Commissioners.
