YIMBY Cities: Building Homes, Containing Rents

Bouldin Creek, a neighbourhood in Austin, Texas, is known for its cavernous houses that occupy only a small portion of their plots. The area is governed by the “McMansion ordinance”, which aims to preserve the character of the neighborhood by ensuring there is ample space between homes. Architects are required to design new homes within specific guidelines, including building within an imaginary tent rising five meters from the plot’s edge and angling in at 45 degrees to prevent sprawling developments.

However, the cost of complying with these rules has led to only large, expensive homes being built in the area. This has prompted a push for housing deregulation in Austin, following in the footsteps of Auckland, New Zealand, where similar reforms have been successful. YIMBY activists, who support development in their own neighborhoods, see these cities as shining examples of housing reform.

The movement for housing deregulation is gaining traction in the anglosphere, with Britain’s Labour government and Canada’s opposition Conservative party both advocating for affordable housing initiatives. Austin and Auckland serve as case studies for the effectiveness of YIMBY reforms, showing signs of success in addressing housing affordability issues.

While progress is being made, the impact of these reforms is slow and modest. Changes in regulations can take time to implement and may not immediately solve the housing crisis. However, the examples set by cities like Austin and Auckland demonstrate the potential benefits of housing deregulation in creating more affordable and accessible housing options for residents.

Overall, the shift towards deregulation in housing policies is a positive step towards addressing affordability challenges in cities like Austin. By following the successful examples of other cities and embracing YIMBY principles, communities can work towards creating a more inclusive and diverse housing landscape.