California YIMBY

California YIMBY education, outreach, and advocacy programIn 2021 we continued our strong track record of educating Californians about the causes of, and solutions to, the housing shortage and affordability crisis. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 challenges, we developed a RAPID RESPONSE TEAM to marshal YIMBYs across the state to call into legislative committee hearings to express support for housing bills. We also conducted a virtual lobby week where we connected hundreds of community members and YIMBY activists with Sacramento lawmakers to advocate for better housing policy. We continued to build on our media efforts and were mentioned/quoted in nearly 500 original articles and over 1,000 syndicated articles in local, state, and national press. We secured strong editorial board support and op-ed placements in SF Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, New York Times, LA Times, OC Register, and San Bernardino Sun

California YIMBY legislative and political programIn 2021 we sponsored and championed legislation that will reduce fees for homebuilding, streamline missing middle upzonings, remove technical prohibitions on otherwise zoning-compliant housing proposals, and end a century of exclusionary single-family home zoning by legalizing duplexes and lot-splits throughout California. We also partnered with the Governor to develop a new office that will provide technical assistance to cities and enforce state housing law. In other words, our legislation will accelerate homebuilding and help make California a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.

California YIMBY grasstops partnerships and grassroots organizing programCalifornia YIMBY continues to convene coalitions including the Home Building Alliance (HBA): Business groups, affordable houses, policy shops, and other influential organizations in Sacramento lobby together to move votes, and the Local Elected Official Working Group: Local elected officials share best practices for housing policy and politics, provide feedback on state legislation, and engage their legislators to support our bills.