Growing grassroots leadership and legal enforcement in LA

Affordable housing and homelessness

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

We do not have enough homes. The housing shortage is a systems failure, stemming from broken policies rooted in racism and classism. Exclusionary zoning was designed to legalize segregationist practices and excessive permitting processes have been wielded to slow down or block new multi-family homes. Single-family zoning is a racist construct and homeownership groups across LA County are actively resisting efforts to reform it. YIMBY works to dismantle these policies and foster abundant housing.
In the LA metro, the home shortage has topped 400,000 homes and is most severe in our highest opportunity neighborhoods, keeping low-income people and people of color locked out of lucrative jobs, high-performing schools, and access to the social capital to position them and their children for healthy, productive lives. The shortage leads to skyrocketing rent and home prices and debilitating commutes, causing people to fall into poverty to pay rent, or even fall into homelessness.

YIMBY empowers community members to drive systemic change, increase housing supply, and bring down cost of living in opportunity-rich neighborhoods. We bring expertise in building and deploying grassroots power with infrastructure for volunteer mobilization and leadership development. On the legal side, we’ve leveraged a blend of uniquely trained volunteer leaders and legal action to give new teeth to long-ignored laws and ensure new legislative wins like SB 330, SB 25, and SB 9 result in more housing.
Our approach includes:
Building a new YIMBY LA chapter led by volunteers, across LA’s regions, following a highly successful model in 22 other CA cities. This includes growing our base and partnering with allies to create systemic change. Developing customized grassroots tools and training that mobilize volunteers, build infrastructure, and develop new pro-housing leaders.
Creating frameworks and assessment tools for measuring success and processes for ongoing community building to position LA activists to achieve results. Specifically advocating for an equitable LA city rezoning that ensures affordable housing is built in LA’s highest opportunity neighborhoods.
Creating an environment where exclusionary communities build their fair share of housing.
Enforcing laws like the Housing Accountability Act and SB 35. Organizing in LA has found egregious examples of laws being violated because they don’t think anyone is watching. Winning lawsuits ensures that housing gets built.

Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) exists to make housing more affordable and accessible. We do this by serving and growing the YIMBY movement fighting for more housing. We envision an integrated and environmentally sustainable society where every person has access to a safe, affordable home near jobs, services, and opportunities.
If successful, everyone in LA will benefit from affordable housing, lower rents, and more options for homes near opportunity, friends, and family. Our work strives to undo systemic racism and ensure that everyone has an equal right to a home no matter their background. Stable, affordable housing has broader impacts and will allow a more sustainable, resilient city, shorter commute times, better air quality, improved health outcomes, and a place where all Angelenos can truly thrive. This will result in a more fair, equitable, and vibrant city.

Grow LA YIMBY. With 2,267 activists in LA County, we aim to grow our grassroots base by 20%. We will move activists up the ladder of engagement and develop leaders with marginalized backgrounds.
YIMBY Law Growth: We have won or settled all of our lawsuits and also get wins through deterrence. In 2024, YIMBY Law letters alone helped get 6,000 new homes approved. Wins in LA, Culver City, and Burbank show progress where resources have been hoarded. Metrics include letters sent, home approvals, and lawsuit success.
Housing Projects: Activists have rallied in LA to support 9,328 new homes, with 4,004 units approved so far in 2024, marking significant progress in expanding housing options. Success is gauged by community participation in hearings and approval rates.
LA Rezoning: YIMBY is urging the LA City Council to update their zoning plan, targeting single-family zones which cover 70% of LA. This plan will shape homebuilding for the next 8 years and could dismantle entrenched segregation.