
Infill: A YIMBY Podcast
Audio selections from YIMBY Action. Interviews, panel discussions, speeches and more, including round-table discussions on local politics and urban policy with folks across the US in the pro-housing movement.
Latest episodes

Jan 25, 2022 • 31min
YIMBY Law takes on NIMBY cities in CA
Last week, YIMBY Law announced three lawsuits against San Francisco and Los Angeles for not approving general plan compliant housing projects. Join YIMBY Action Executive Director Laura Foote and YIMBY Law Executive Director Sonja Trauss discuss the ins and outs of these lawsuits, some of the reasons cities give for not approving housing projects, and how you can be involved in holding your city accountable too. Links: Think your city is breaking a housing law? Submit it here: https://www.yimbylaw.org/submit-issueSee the full press release about the lawsuits on YIMBY Law’s website: https://www.yimbylaw.org/pressDonate to YIMBY Law to help keep up enforcement! https://www.yimbylaw.org/donateFollow YIMBY Law on Twitter for their hot takes and city shenanigan updates: https://twitter.com/Yimby_LawFollow YIMBY Law on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YIMBYLaw/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Jan 18, 2022 • 53min
San Francisco Housing Debate 2022 - AD 17
The four candidates for San Francisco's Assembly District 17 go head to head on housing policy. We dug in with David Campos, Matt Haney, Bilal Mahmood, and Thea Selby on their perspectives on California's biggest problem: housing. This Special Election was triggered when Assemblymember David Chiu was appointed to become San Francisco's City Attorney. Last day to vote in the primary is February 15th. The top two candidates will continue on to the General Special Election. Hosted by YIMBY Action chapters SF YIMBY, Northern Neighbors, Urban Environmentalists, Grow the Richmond, Streets for People, and Southside Forward.Moderated by SF YIMBY Board Member Brandon Powell, with militant timekeeping by YIMBY Action Executive Director Laura Foote.Questions provided by YIMBY Leads and Members.Links:See our endorsement for this race: https://yimbyaction.org/endorsements/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Nov 29, 2021 • 40min
Small Sites, Big Arguments
What is San Francisco's Small Sites Program? What does it do? Who benefits from it?YIMBY Action Executive Director Laura Foote and Mission Housing Executive Director Sam Moss break it down and talk about the arguments in support of the program and against it. Learn more about the Small Sites Program: https://sfmohcd.org/small-sites-programLearn more about Mission Housing: https://missionhousing.org/Follow Mission Housing on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissionHousingFollow Mission Housing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionHousingLearn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Nov 11, 2021 • 41min
Build Back What Exactly?
All the talk in Congress about the Build Back Better Act and the federal infrastructure package is confusing. It seems to change so quickly, it's hard to keep up. What got passed? What got cut? What's next? Where should we focus our advocacy? YIMBY Action Executive Director Laura Foote talks with Joey Lindstrom, Field Director at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, who gives an update on what made it across the finish line for housing in the Federal Infrastructure Package and what's to come. 🚨 Take 1 minute to write to your Congresspeople to urge them to include funding for affordable housing: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/action-alert-tell-congress-to-invest-in-affordable-housing If your representative is a moderate, their votes are important and they can likely be convinced! Find out if your rep is moderate: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-Pga83JCkY01Ku-AzWMBwCuRQ5dMkIHj/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113275764594990283654&rtpof=true&sd=true Build Back Better fact sheet: https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/Historic-Housing-Investments-in-the-Build-Back-Better-Act.pdf Audio transcript: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/sdownload/Wqv6x2Y2UZhOD_ZYejDB5sHzfT3cW1lWaSS2AzvrHtsYP5EJdacdzS_80G6AF6OzZfBQpBoaoL_rsDUW.nFvcz7YpujoM0NCk Twitter links-Joey Lindstrom: https://twitter.com/JosephLindstromNational Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC): https://twitter.com/NLIHCYIMBY Action: https://twitter.com/yimbyaction Instagram links- NLIHC: https://www.instagram.com/nlihc/ YIMBY Action: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/ Facebook links- NLIHC: https://www.facebook.com/NLIHCDC YIMBY Action: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/ Learn more about NLIHC: http://www.nlihc.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

Oct 2, 2021 • 32min
Housing Changemaker Series with Roderick Hall and Madeline Baron
In this episode of the Housing Changemaker Series, Laura Foote is joined by Roderick Hall and Madeline Baron who are both Project Managers at ECONorthwest. They discuss Up For Growth research and policy, challenges urban planners face, and the importance of research and data analysis in housing. Roderick Hall is a project manager at ECONorthwest with a background in research and data analytics, housing finance, community organizing, and program design and evaluation. Rod joined ECONorthwest in 2021 and oversees a range of projects that include housing policy and planning, market studies and development feasibility, displacement risk analysis and anti-displacement strategy, and structural inequities Madeline specializes in affordable housing, finance, research, and policy analysis. At ECONorthwest, she evaluates policy solutions across the entire spectrum of the housing market – from tax measures to fund permanent supportive housing and alleviate homelessness to community development efforts at mitigating displacement, equitable housing development surrounding major infrastructure projects, and feasibility analysis of missing middle and market-rate housing development. Her work encompasses statistical analysis, strategic planning, real estate development, finance and funding, and scenario planning. This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY Links:Hear more about ECONorthwest: https://econw.com/about Follow Roderick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoderickDHall1 Follow ECONorthwest on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ECONorthwest Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

Sep 29, 2021 • 16min
Housing Changemaker Series with Bryan Greene
In this episode of the Housing Changemaker Series, Laura Foote is joined by Bryan Greene, Vice President, Policy Advocacy, National Association of REALTORS. They discuss fair housing policy, equity in homeownership, and Bryan's background at HUD and beyond. Bryan oversees all legislative and regulatory advocacy on behalf of the association's 1.4 million members. Before joining NAR, Bryan served for ten years as the highest-ranking career official in HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), where he oversaw the policy direction and operational management of the 600-person office enforcing the nation's housing anti-discrimination laws. Under Bryan's leadership as FHEO General Deputy Assistant Secretary, HUD pursued large-scale, high-profile cases that addressed systemic discrimination and provided widespread relief. Bryan also managed HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) and HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP), which together provide over $70 million to state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations fighting discrimination in local communities. This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY Links:Hear more from Bryan on Fair Housing: https://www.nar.realtor/center-for-realtor-development-podcast/ensuring-fair-housing-for-all-with-nars-bryan-greene Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

Sep 24, 2021 • 22min
Housing Changemaker Series with Nicole Macri
In this episode of the Housing Changemaker Series, Laura Foote sits down with Nicole Macri, who represents the 43rd legislative district of Washington. She serves as vice-chair of the Healthcare and Wellness Committee and is a member of the Finance and Appropriations Committees. She is also a member of the Washington State Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. Nicole has more than 20 years of experience championing progressive causes on issues around affordable housing, homelessness, human services, and mental health. She has been at the forefront of the Housing First movement nationally, and is a recognized leader in practical and effective strategies that end the homelessness of people living with serious disabilities. This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY Links:Follow Rep. Macri on Twitter: https://twitter.com/votenicolemacri Learn more about Rep. Macri: https://votenicole.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

Sep 23, 2021 • 24min
Housing Changemaker Series with Ryan Fecteau
This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the online conference. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBY In this episode, Laura Foote sits down with Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau, who has done substantial work on housing in his state. He grew up in Affordable Housing, and his experience informs his work on increasing Affordable Housing in Maine. A bill he sponsored recently passed in the state that will establish a commission to review barriers to producing more affordable housing in Maine, and he speaks to the challenges the state faces such as the quality of housing, the impact of housing on generational poverty, and the importance of housing security. Links:Speaker Fecteau's philosophy regarding Maine's affordable housing issue: https://ryanfecteau.com/affordable-housing/ Follow Speaker Fecteau on Twitter: https://twitter.com/speakerfecteau Maine's Commission to Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions started meeting in August: https://ryanfecteau.com/2021/08/maines-new-commission-to-increase-housing-opportunities-begins-work-this-week/ Speaker Fecteau's bill that passed this year paved the way for this Commission: https://ryanfecteau.com/2021/06/affordable-housing-legislation-sponsored-by-speaker-fecteau-signed-into-law/ One-minute news clip about Speaker Fecteau's affordable housing work: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakerFecteau/videos/437420190699725 At the start of 2020, Governor Mills signed Speaker Fecteau's bill making the largest statewide investment in affordable housing:https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/governor-mills-signs-fecteaus-affordable-housing-bill-law-2020-02-12 Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/

Sep 22, 2021 • 56min
Housing Hot Takes: San Diego Housing Element Edition
Did you know San Diego recently claimed that housing would be placed on top of a cemetery?? California cities are going through a once-every-eight-year process where they have to create housing plans. The state determines how many homes they'll need based on population growth, job growth, and other factors. But lots of cities have been trying to get away with plans that don't make sense. San Diego's claim that homes will go on top of a cemetery is just one example, and we need to make sure cities all over the state make plans that are actually able to be executed. That's where Jon Wizard, the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements, and the team at YIMBY Law come in. Along with hundreds of volunteers, they're keeping an eye on these housing plans and sending important information to the state (specifically California HCD) in order to hold cities accountable. Join Executive Director Laura Foote in a conversation with Jon Wizard, Policy Director at the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements as they discuss what San Diego's housing element means for other housing plans throughout the state. Learn more about the Campaign for Fair Housing Elements and sign up to be a Watchdog: https://www.fairhousingelements.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action and become a member: https://yimbyaction.org/

Sep 21, 2021 • 15min
Housing Changemaker Series with David Williams
This special series on Infill is in partnership with Up For Growth, who is hosting a conference featuring amazing pro-housing voices from all over the country. We had the great opportunity to sit down with several of the speakers and give you a preview of what will be discussed in more detail during the conference. The conference starts on September 21 and is all online. Tickets are free, grab yours here! https://go.upforgrowth.org/UFG2021YIMBYIn this episode, Laura Foote sits down with David A. Williams, who serves as the Director of Policy Outreach at Opportunity Insights, a research and public policy lab based at Harvard University dedicated to using big data to improve upward mobility in America.Learn more about David: https://opportunityinsights.org/team/david-williams/Learn more about Up For Growth: https://www.upforgrowth.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action (become a member in September and get a free Legalize Housing shirt!): https://yimbyaction.org/join