Episode 1: Housing Uncut: Introducing YIMBY Nation

YIMBY Nation (Yes, In My Back Yard)

Today we are excited to introduce you to the YIMBY Nation podcast where we will be exploring US housing policies and pathways to building more equitable neighborhoods. YIMBY Nation will focus on the nuts and bolts of affordable housing development and the socio-economic issues related to it, such as poverty, eviction, employment, supportive services, education, and healthcare. In this first episode, we meet our hosts Jimmy Miller, Peter Wood, and Vincencia Adusei, or “Vee”. We hear about their backgrounds, their careers, and their passion for housing development. We discuss the concept of ‘NIMBY’ or ‘NIMBYism’, meaning ‘Not In My Back Yard’, as a negative reaction by many people across the country towards efforts to create affordable housing and mixed-income communities in suburban areas. We then explain how the title of this podcast ‘YIMBY Nation’ is turning this concept on its head, with ‘YIMBY’ standing for ‘Yes, In My Back Yard’. Tune in today to hear personal stories of neighborhoods that have been transformed from an attitude of ‘NIMBY’ to that of ‘YIMBY’. Find out what to expect from future episodes and be inspired by true stories of the change that is possible!

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to the YIMBY Nation podcast and its mission to help build more equitable neighborhoods.
• An introduction to Jimmy Miller and what inspired him to get into housing development.
• An introduction to Peter Wood and what sparked his passion for social justice and housing development.
• Vincencia Adusei’s background in Ghana, her career, and what led her to help create this podcast.
• An explanation of the title ‘YIMBY’ as a reaction to ‘NIMBY’.
• How zoning laws have enforced the NIMBY effect.
• Jimmy and Peter reflect on a development where they came up against NIMBYism and a fence that separated communities.
• Peter talks about another experience and the positive response from residents when they overturned a zoning denial.
• How Vee is hoping that the podcast will help people have an open mind and be receptive to change.
• Upcoming guests you can expect in future episodes.
• Peter’s hopes that the podcast will inspire young people to get involved in housing development.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email

YIMBY Nation