the true cost of nimbyism: dreams deferred, communities divided
san diego's future hangs in the balance – and it's time to build 🏗️🌇
tl;dr: NIMBYism in san diego isn't just blocking buildings; it's suffocating opportunity, perpetuating inequalities, and jeopardizing our city's future. but there's hope if we act now.
hey mi gente,
picture this: you're cruising down university ave, iced horchata latte in hand, when you spot yet another "preserve our neighborhood" sign. or worse, a leftover kate callen sign. (automatic projectile vomit from me.) you sigh so hard you almost fog up your sunglasses. sound familiar? well, grab that cafecito and settle in, because we're about to unpack the not-so-wonderful world of NIMBYism and why it's costing san diego way more than just a few apartment buildings.
what is NIMBYism?
what the heck is a NIMBY? no, it's not a character from a dr. seuss book (though that would be way more fun). NIMBY stands for "not in my backyard," and it's the battle cry of folks who fight tooth and nail against new development in their neighborhoods. on the surface, it might seem like they're just protecting their slice of suburban paradise. but honey, the tea is way hotter than that.
let's drop some facts, shall we? according to the san diego association of governments, our region needs to build 171,685 new housing units by 2029 to meet demand. but thanks in part to NIMBYism, we're woefully behind. in 2020, only 8,216 units were built – nowhere near enough to keep up with our growing population.
in 2023, with a total of 11,673 building permits issued across the county - it’s still not. enough (but a marked improvement we’ll take as a w).
the real cost of NIMBYism
the real cost of NIMBYism isn't just in what gets blocked – it's in what never gets built at all. it's the affordable housing that could've given a struggling family a chance at stability. it's the mixed-use development that could've brought new life (and bomb-ass food or services) to a sleepy corner. it's the transit-oriented community that could've meant fewer cars clogging our streets and polluting our air.
but wait, there's more! (channeling my inner infomercial realness here)
NIMBYism doesn't just stop buildings – it builds walls. walls between the haves and the have-nots. NIMBYs build walls that keep our cities segregated, economically and racially. walls that say "you're not welcome here" to anyone who doesn't fit a certain mold.
you know how much i like lists, so let’s break it down into a list for you:
housing affordability: when we don't build enough housing, prices skyrocket faster than my anxiety during pride month planning. the median home price in san diego county hit $1.04 million in may 2024, that is a staggeringly huge number. this pushes out lower-income folks, young families, and – let's be real – a whole lot of queer people who make our communities vibrant af.
economic stagnation: new development brings jobs, tax revenue, and economic vitality. block that, and you're basically putting your neighborhood on economic life support. a study by the national association of home builders found that building 100 multi-family units generates $11.7 million in local income and 161 local jobs in the first year alone.
environmental impact: dense, walkable neighborhoods = fewer cars = less pollution. but NIMBYism often pushes development to the fringes, leading to more sprawl and more climate-killing commutes.
lost opportunities for diversity: when we don't build, we don't make space for newcomers. and honey, a city without fresh perspectives is about as exciting as a mayonnaise sandwich on white bread. our hillcrest community thrives on diversity – imagine if previous generations had successfully kept "those people" out?
strain on public services: blocking new development doesn't stop population growth – it just forces people to crowd into existing housing, putting pressure on schools, roads, and other services. in some san diego neighborhoods, schools are overflowing while just a few blocks away, NIMBYs successfully block new housing that could help balance enrollment.
cities evolve and change, that’s what they do!
now, i get it. change can be scary. nobody wants to wake up one day and find a 20-story tower blocking their view of... well, their neighbor's slightly less tall house.
but cities are living, breathing things. they need to grow and change to stay healthy. and just like how i had to grow out of my emo phase (rip my nevershoutnever t-shirts - cringe!), our neighborhoods need to evolve too. let. our. cities. cook!
NIMBYism is often rooted in a fear of change, but ironically, by resisting all change, NIMBYs ensure that the changes that do come are more drastic and less managed.
7 ways to combat NIMBYism in san diego
so what can we do? glad you asked, mi amor:
get informed: next time there's a development proposal in your hood, actually read it. don't just react to the nimby fear-mongering. check out the city of san diego's development services department website for current projects and how to get involved.
speak up: go to those boring af city council meetings. go to your local community planning group meetings. make your voice heard. be the YIMBY (yes in my backyard) energy your city needs.
support smart growth: push for developments that make sense – mixed-income, transit-oriented, environmentally friendly. it's not about saying yes to everything, it's about saying yes to the right things. organizations like circulate san diego and san diego housing federation are great resources for learning about smart growth principles.
check your privilege: if you're able to oppose new housing because you already have a stable place to live, recognize that not everyone has that luxury. as a queer person who's faced housing instability, i know firsthand how crucial accessible housing is.
build community, not barriers: get to know your neighbors – all of them. the more connected we are, the less likely we are to fear change. join your community planning group (find yours here) and be a voice for inclusive development.
support pro-housing candidates: local elections matter, y'all. research candidates' positions on housing and development. vote for those who understand the need for growth and have concrete plans to address our housing crisis.
educate others: share articles like this one, host informal discussion groups! talk to people to show the positive impacts of good development in your neighborhood.
your chance to shape hillcrest’s future
and speaking of getting involved, mi gente, we've got a perfect opportunity coming up right here in our backyard! the uptown community planning group elections are just around the corner, and it's our chance to shape the future of our beloved hillcrest.
mark your calendars for august 20, 2024 – that's when we're showing up at bard hall in the first united universalist church of hillcrest to cast our votes. can't make it in person? no problem, online voting starts tomorrow, august 8.
but listen up: you gotta register first to prove you're part of the uptown fam. click here to register online or do it at the polling place. just don't forget to bring the right docs, okay?
and because i love you all (and because i've been doing my homework), i'll be dropping my list of endorsements next week. these are the folks i think will fight for the uptown we deserve – one that's as diverse, vibrant, and fabulous as we are. so let's show up in force and make our voices heard. because if we want change, we gotta be the change, mis amores!
now, where was i? oh right...
a vision for san diego: a city for all
look, i'm not saying we should turn every charming victorian into a glass-and-steel monstrosity (though tbh, some of those are pretty fierce!!!). but we need to recognize that the cost of NIMBYism isn't just measured in unbuilt buildings. it's measured in lost opportunities, in communities that could have been, in the diverse, vibrant, sustainable future we're denying ourselves.
housing is a human right. when we block new housing, we're not just saying no to buildings – we're saying no to people, to families, to the very diversity that makes san diego great. so the next time you see that "no new development" sign, think about what could be there instead. a home for a family that's struggling to make rent. a cool new business that becomes the heart of the neighborhood. a place where people from all walks of life can come together and create something beautiful.
because that, mi gente, is what we're really saying no to when we say "not in my backyard."
hasta la próxima, mis amores!
remember: the only thing we should be keeping out of our backyards is bigotry (and maybe those weird, creepy lawn gnomes – sorry not sorry).
con mucho amor y un chingo de YIMBY energy,
edgard 💖✊🏽🌈
p.s. if you're feeling fired up about this, share this post with that one friend who's always complaining about "neighborhood character." maybe we can change some minds, one nimby at a time!
p.p.s. want to learn more? check out these resources:
YIMBY democrats of san diego county (of which i am a card carrying member)
let's build a san diego for all of us, not just some of us. ¡sí se puede, carajo!