The Massive Rise of Yimby Movement With Sonja Trauss
Oct 31, 2022
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Sonja Trauss, co-founder of the YIMBY movement, talks about the history and future of the movement, including their wins in building more abundant and affordable housing. The podcast also covers the use of law to drive positive outcomes, the challenges cities face with housing, and the importance of addressing the housing crisis in the Bay Area.
The YIMBY movement gained momentum by presenting a simple yet powerful idea: the need for more housing.
Individual action and support played a key role in the growth and success of the YIMBY movement.
The use of law, including the Housing Accountability Act, is crucial in advocating for increased housing supply and holding cities accountable.
Deep dives
The Emergence of the YIMBY Movement
The podcast episode discusses the history and creation of the YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movement. It delves into how the movement gained momentum, the key individuals involved, and the importance of advocating for increased housing supply. The conversation highlights the urgency felt due to rising housing costs, the impact of the 2008 housing crash, and the need for more abundant housing. It also touches on the role of law in pushing for housing production and the significance of the Housing Accountability Act. Overall, the episode sheds light on the grassroots efforts and legal strategies employed by YIMBY activists to address the housing crisis.
The Power of Ideas and Individual Action
The podcast episode highlights the power of ideas whose time has come and the impact of individual action. It showcases how the YIMBY movement gained support by presenting a simple yet powerful idea: the need for more housing. The episode emphasizes the role of individuals who supported and funded the movement, leading to its growth and success. It also touches on the importance of personal commitment and persistence, drawing parallels between activism and management. Additionally, it discusses the value of impact certificates and better systems for recognizing and rewarding individuals who create positive change in society.
The Role of Law and Legal Enforcement
The podcast episode examines the role of law and legal enforcement in addressing the housing crisis. It highlights the Housing Accountability Act as a powerful tool to ensure housing production and combat the delays caused by sequel lawsuits. It emphasizes the significance of legal action in holding cities accountable and pushing for increased housing supply. The discussion highlights the involvement of YIMBY activists in all three branches of government and showcases the importance of legal expertise in shaping housing policies and regulations.
The Overlooked Connection Between Housing and Other Issues
The podcast episode challenges the notion that housing is a separate issue from other societal challenges. It argues that housing underlies many problems, including transportation, climate, and segregation. The episode suggests that the Bay Area's obsession with housing is justified, given its pervasive impact on various aspects of life. It calls for increased awareness and focus on housing in other regions, highlighting the need for more housing to address affordability and segregation effectively.
The Future of YIMBYism
The podcast episode concludes by discussing the future prospects of the YIMBY movement. It mentions the ongoing growth and success of the movement and the continuous need for activism and legal initiatives. The episode expresses optimism for the future, given the increasing awareness of the housing crisis and the persistence of YIMBY activists. It encourages individuals to support the movement and highlights upcoming opportunities, such as the builders' remedy and potential entitlements for homeowners. Overall, the episode portrays a positive outlook for the future impact of YIMBYism.
In this episode, Sonja Trauss joins us to talk about the YIMBY movement and its overnight success. Sonja helps us understand the history and future of this movement.
Frustrated by high rents in San Francisco, Sonja Trauss started taking part in local planning meetings in 2014 to stand up for more house construction and taller buildings. That led her to co-found the YIMBY movement (yes in my backyard) a political action committee, and YIMBY Law, a nonprofit Trauss runs to advocate for development projects in San Francisco that are affordable, inclusive and have multi-family units. What started as a small act of civic virtue has grown into a national movement.
We dive deep into the YIMBY movement, all the way back from when it began till actual date, their massive wins around buildings and more abundant housing and the use of law to impel these wins.
Dive in! You will learn about the YIMBY movement and how to fight for abundant housing that is affordable, inclusive and sustainable as well!
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Who is Sonja Trauss?
Sonja is the Co-Founder of Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY Action) and YIMBY Law, enforcing state housing law, making housing more affordable and accessible. Legal enforcement arm of YIMBY Action.
Topics:
Welcome Sonja Trauss to The Rhys Show!: (00:00:00)
Goal for listeners: (00:02:43)
Catalyzing moment that made Sonja push back against the state & start housing: (00:03:12)
Where does Sonja’s fire to fight come from: (00:10:29)
What YIMBY was like ten years ago: (00:16:14)
Coming to the idea that we need abundant housing production and how did the word YIMBY appear: (00:21:00)
About “burrowing the owl”: (00:26:04)
Actual state of YIMBY movement : (00:27:31)
Legal side of YIMBY movement: role judicial plays vs executive or legislative: (00:32:57)
PROPE E vs. PROP E: how does Sonja respond to folks that are “more affordable housing people”: (00:40:42)
Overrated & underrated questions: (00:45:38)
Wrap-up: (00:47:42)
Mentioned resources:
How Burrowing Owls Lead to Vomiting Anarchists or S.F.'s Housing Crisis Explained
Connect with Sonja Trauss:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonjatrauss
Twitter YIMBY Action: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonja-trauss-02002968
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sonjatraussd6/?hl=en
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sonjatrauss/
YIMBY web: https://www.yesinmybackyard.org/team
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