NIMBY Opposition to Fair Housing

“Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) connotes objections made to stop the development of affordable housing based on fear and prejudice. NIMBYism presents a particularly pernicious obstacle to meeting local housing needs. The outcry from constituents expressing concerns over the siting and permitting of affordable housing can lead to lengthy and hostile public proceedings, frustrated Consolidated Plan implementation, increased development costs, and property rights disputes. The consequence is less development and preservation of housing at a time when the country is in desperate need of more rental housing.” ~Jaimie Ross, President and CEO, Florida Housing Coalition

Throughout my real estate career spanning numerous communities, there is always opposition to change and development. Those that already have their homes, while they say they support the idea of growth and change, do not want change, development or growth near them. The NIMBY opposition always object very loudly, thinking of their own self-interest, with lack of consideration of the needs of the greater good. They will claim they bought their property thinking the surrounding area would always be undeveloped. They will blame their realtors, public officials, and anyone else for their own lack of due diligence in researching the property and government rules / zoning, building codes and other pertinent information of the surrounding area before making their purchase. If one buys property and does not go into government agencies to find out about zoning, then they did not do their due diligence.

The NIMBY opposition instigators are often very vocal in rallying support for their cause, creating misinformation and worse, disinformation. They become puppet masters in directing actions of others to oppose the housing, all the while they are claiming “incompatibility” with their own properties adjacent. The NIMBY’s profess that they only want “compatible properties” like theirs in the area, which really means: only the people who can afford such properties.

NIMBY’s do not want mixed use, mixed income, lower income homes, workforce housing and the variety of clustered high-density home types that a true Planned Unit Developments serve. The NIMBY opposition claims that they only want “wide open spaces”. The NIMBY opposition does not want change to “their” neighborhood and encouraged discord on social media and in the community.

Florida Fair Housing Coalition Writes:

“Local zoning codes that segregate uses by housing type and require subjective standards of “compatibility” with existing surroundings, set the stage for NIMBYism and for segregation. Exclusionary zoning laws that create single-family-only districts and use a subjective test of “compatibility” and consistency with the “character” or “neighborhood scale” perpetuate homogenous neighborhoods of low-density, single-family homes.”*

“Subjective development regulations, and regulations which unduly restrict flexibility in housing types and densities, enables NIMBYism to thrive and allows existing patterns of segregation to continue. For communities that do not look all that different from the days of redlining (ie: Exclusionary Practices & Economic Discrimination), NIMBYism in the form of local land development regulations requiring a subjective test of neighborhood compatibility is a way for government to perpetuate the overt, intentional segregation of the past.”*

“The opposition is illegitimate – it is, therefore, opposition that would be inappropriate, arbitrary, capricious, or unlawful for the local government to consider in making its land use decision.”*

*Adapted From Jaimie Ross, President/CEO and Kody Glazer, Legal Director, Florida Fair Housing Coalition

Typically, the NIMBY opposition neighbors basically want no development near them, unless it like kind. NIMBY neighbors generally want to keep out the high-density residents, workforce housing occupants and renters in “their” neighborhood by spreading misinformation/disinformation based on greed, ignorance & fear.

This is economic discrimination at its core, disguised as being concerned for “wide open spaces” and “compatible to the neighborhood.”

Missing Middle Class in Housing

The missing middle class refers to the lack of density housing due to zoning regulations that these opposition neighbors favor for social and racial separation and result in car dependent subdivision sprawl. Missing middle housing offers a greater choice in housing types that still blend into existing single-family neighborhoods, creating more options for housing that is affordable and help reach sustainability goals.

Missing middle housing units are usually smaller units than single-family homes.
Increasing missing middle housing options may allow families of different sizes, types, and incomes to access quality housing.

Missing middle housing tends to become naturally affordable housing as it ages and provides a level of density that supports the shops, restaurants, and transit that are associated with walkable neighborhoods.

Walkable neighborhoods support sustainability, health, and affordability goals by reducing reliance on personal vehicles. This would promote active transportation, reduce sprawl, reduce pollution and reduce transportation costs by lessening the use/need for personal vehicles.

Overall, missing middle housing options can create housing at a wide range of prices for a range of family types.

“The Greatest impediments to housing supply in our country:”*

1. “Government Regulations”

2. “NIMBYs”

It is now commonplace for a city or county attorney to inform the elected body during a heated public hearing that they run afoul of the state’s fair housing law if they deny the affordable housing developer’s application. Legal protections for affordable housing provide political cover to elected officials who are sometimes facing an electorate threatening to unseat those officials who vote in favor of affordable development.

Say “Yes In My Backyard” (YIMBY) to end the Housing Discrimination, Exclusionary Practices & Economic Discrimination.

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