Manning the Drawbridge: The Way of the NIMBY

by Tony Chavira

Between the tax incentives, abatements, loans and even grants to developers, it should be no problem to slap together an affordable housing complex just about anywhere our little hearts desire. Let's make something clear though: this isn't about overpopulating our neighborhoods, just providing good affordable housing for everyone and anyone. Wouldn't you rather spend the money on good food or good company than your apartment rent?

But there's an idea out there, outlined by the ecologist Garret Hardin in the 1970s, called "Lifeboat Ethics." Picture this: you and five other people are on a lifeboat that can carry ten people or so. In the water around you are thirty people, treading water for their lives. You can still fit about four people on board, maybe five. Should you lift up any onto the lifeboat? If you do, how are you going to choose which ones get on and which don't? Do you save the children because they're weaker? How about the elderly? Or the hot movie star? The millionaire and his wife? Literally, the criteria are totally up to you since you're already sitting in the lifeboat.

 

In fact, there are people who call themselves NIMBY (Not In My BackYard) supporters. These people basically don't want to let any people on board, because it'll make the chances that they survive slimmer (or at least decrease their comfort on the boat).

Okay, admittedly real life isn't as black and white as that metaphor. Contrary to popular belief, NIMBY supporters are not morons, and the "drawbridge mentality" does make sense. I know it's weird to read that on a website that advocates affordable housing development, but we can all at least understand the logic behind the NIMBY movement.  If the city wanted to splat an airport or jail only 500 feet from your house, you'd be pretty pissed off too.

NIMBY supporters don't want their land to depreciate in price. They don't want to question the quality of their neighborhoods or have to deal with more traffic. NIMBY supporters aren't malicious people who hate all other people or want to impose some form of social control. They're people like you and me who just want nice, quiet neighborhoods. So really, there's no reason why NIMBY supporters can't also support affordable housing development. It's not oxymoronic to be both pro-affordable housing and a NIMBY supporter, in fact it's actually very advantageous to put affordable housing in communities full of NIMBY supporters.

For both sides. Seriously.

If the city plans on being responsible (which pro-NIMBY cities typically are), officials will provide money to promote local infusion of the affordable housing complex. Affordable housing will require upgrades in roads, sewers, and other infrastructure. Affordable housing will mandate the increased use and upgrading of public transit systems for all citizens. Affordable housing will encourage businesses to provide more comprehensive local services. Affordable housing, over time, should encourage the city to employ incentive zoning for private sector investments and developers to seek higher quality design in affordable housing.

So really, this has everything to do with how NIMBY views can affect your outlook toward your community, not "outsiders." You can halt support for infusion of affordable housing in your NIMBY community altogether, or you can say "our communities are perfectly suited for an infrastructure upgrade" and serve as a watchdog by support zoning laws that promote civic engagement, modern urban planning, and your local friendly boutique businesses.

 

But the most important thing that NIMBY supporters and affordable housing promoters (such as us) have in common is our love of streetscaping and landscaping. Affordable housing development is the perfect excuse to rethink zoning requirements and provide the local community with gorgeous street designs, landscaping for parks, and even the onset for upgrades at local schools. Our NIMBY friends out there know exactly how difficult hardcore NIMBY communities can be about adding or subtracting to your own property, let alone improving the quality of your streets scenes and parks. It's almost like you have no say at all in how your own community gets to look!

Well, my friends, affordable housing development is actually the answer to your problems. A "drawbridge mentality" is ridiculous when you think of all of the benefits of infusing your community with affordable housing alternatives. Good fences might make good neighbors, but no fences make great communities.