NIMBYism in one of the country’s fastest-growing cities contributes to a severe housing shortage and soaring housing costs.
A Texas Monthly piece by Megan Kimble explains the uphill battle faced by housing advocates in Austin, where rents rose by 40 percent between March 2020 and June of this year and families struggle to find affordable housing.
“Since the pandemic began, home prices have increased faster in the capital than almost anywhere else in the country.” Yet the city’s development code, which dictates where different types of housing can be built, was last updated in 1984, meaning the city still guides development based on a time when the population was half as large. Today, building housing is a case-by-case, neighborhood by neighborhood process that leads to drawn-out fights and a prolonged housing shortage.
Kimble argues that the NIMBYism exhibited by many Texas communities has prevented many housing developments from going forward, exacerbating the state’s persistent housing shortage. The article details some specific cases and goes on to explain how zoning can prevent small, vocal groups from gaining outsized influence and blocking beneficial affordable housing projects.
FULL STORY: Why Bringing More Affordable Housing to Austin Is a Block-by-Block Battle
The Rise of Zoning Reform
As the housing affordability crisis spread from mainly coastal cities to the rest of the nation, cities and states are taking a serious look at outdated zoning codes that hamper efforts to build more housing.
How One L.A. Developer Uses the Law to Build Apartments
California’s density bonus law lets developers skirt some zoning regulations to build multifamily housing.
Are Americans YIMBYs or NIMBYs? Some of Each.
A recent Zillow survey eviscerates a few myths about public opinion on housing issues, but also shows that public opinion is divided.
2024: The Year in Zoning
Cities and states are leaning on zoning reform to help stem the housing crisis and create more affordable, livable neighborhoods.
NACTO Releases Updated Urban Bikeway Guide
The third edition of the nationally recognized road design guide includes detailed design advice for roads that prioritize safety and accessibility for all users.
Denver Pauses Multifamily Development in Westside Neighborhoods Amidst Gentrification Concerns
City officials say the pause on permits for redevelopment projects aims to stop the displacement of long-term residents.
Comprehensive Parking Supply, Cost, and Price Analysis
Every time somebody purchases a vehicle they expect governments and businesses to provide parking for their use. These facilities are costly. For every dollar motorists spend on their vehicles somebody spends about a dollar on parking.
Learning From Wildfire Evacuations
Researchers are working to understand how people behave during wildfire events and how to most effectively get people to safety during deadly fires.
Parking Reform Yields New Housing
As more cities eliminate or reduce their minimum parking requirements, the impact on housing supply is coming into focus.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Berkeley County
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
Ada County Highway District
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland