flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Grassroots groups becoming a force in housing advocacy

Multifamily Housing

Grassroots groups becoming a force in housing advocacy

Citizens alarmed over high home prices and rents are counteracting NIMBYism


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | June 3, 2024
Grassroots groups becoming a force in housing advocacy
Photo: Pixabay

A growing movement of grassroots organizing to support new housing construction is having an impact in city halls across the country.

Fed up with high housing costs and the commonly hostile reception to new housing proposals, advocacy groups have sprung up in many communities to attend public meetings to speak in support of developments. A Boston University housing researcher quoted in a Boston Globe article says these groups are having a notable impact on housing politics in Massachusetts.

The nationwide YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) movement has helped to prompt zoning changes in many states, both red and blue. While some states including Massachusetts, which recently implemented a rezoning mandate in communities served by the Boston area’s public transportation service, are taking action on the state level; much of the work to spur more housing construction has to be done on the local level.

That’s where these pro-housing groups can have a real impact. If local officials hear positive takes on new development as well as opposing voices, they will be more likely to support new housing construction in their communities.

Lack of housing is an urgent problem in many communities around Boston, the Globe reported. For example, over the last decade, Waltham, a Boston suburb, has added more than 10,000 jobs, but only 1,600 housing units.

Related Stories

Multifamily Housing | Jun 27, 2018

To take on climate change, go passive

If you haven’t looked seriously at “passive house” design and construction, you should.

Market Data | Jun 19, 2018

America’s housing market still falls short of providing affordable shelter to many

The latest report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies laments the paucity of subsidies to relieve cost burdens of ownership and renting.

Multifamily Housing | Jun 13, 2018

Multifamily visionaries: KTGY’s extraordinary expectations

KTGY Architecture + Planning keeps pushing the boundaries of multifamily housing design in the U.S., Asia, and the Middle East.

| May 30, 2018

Accelerate Live! talk: An AEC giant’s roadmap for integrating design, manufacturing, and construction

In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), Skender CEO Mark Skender and Chief Design Officer Tim Swanson present the construction giant’s vision for creating a manufacturing-minded, vertically-integrated design-manufacturing-build business model.

| May 30, 2018

Accelerate Live! talk: From micro schools to tiny houses: What’s driving the downsizing economy?

In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), micro-buildings design expert Aeron Hodges, AIA, explores the key drivers of the micro-buildings movement, and how the trend is spreading into a wide variety of building typologies.

Codes and Standards | May 30, 2018

Silicon Valley cities considering taxes aimed at large employers

The aim is to offset the impact on housing costs and homelessness by tech companies.

Multifamily Housing | May 30, 2018

Concentrated redevelopment: Apartment complex takes mixed use to the next level

An “intergenerational” mixed-use apartment complex may be a prototype for reenergizing neglected neighborhoods in America’s largest county.

| May 24, 2018

Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer

In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.

BD+C University Course | May 24, 2018

Building passively [AIA course]

17 tips from our experts on the best way to carry out passive house design and construction for your next multifamily project. This AIA CES course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021