Today, Explained: How the YIMBYs Won

Host: Sean Rameswaram and Noel King
Guest: Marina Balatnikova, Staff Writer at Slate
Release Date: July 17, 2025

Introduction to NIMBYs and YIMBYs

The episode begins with Sean Rameswaram and Noel King reminiscing about their initial encounters with the terms "NIMBY" (Not In My Backyard) and "YIMBY" (Yes In My Backyard).

• Sean Rameswaram (00:00): "I can still remember the first time I heard about NIMBYs. You know, not in my backyard types."
• Noel King (00:12): "Ah, cool apartments. Yeah, apartments are good for society, but don't put them behind my backyard and block my view."

This playful exchange sets the stage for a deeper exploration of housing development debates, highlighting the tension between community desires and societal needs.

The California Housing Crisis and CEQA

Marina Balatnikova delves into the historical context of California's housing crisis, focusing on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

• Marina Balatnikova (02:06): "Well, I think if you're interested in housing politics, as I am, California looms pretty large for the rest of the country..."

She explains that CEQA, enacted in 1970 and signed by Ronald Reagan, was initially a bipartisan effort aimed at protecting the environment by regulating projects like interstate highways and nuclear power plants. However, its broad application ended up significantly hindering housing development.

• Sean Rameswaram (03:00): "And it's my assumption that to talk about the reforms, we first have to talk about the act."

• Marina Balatnikova (03:19): "CEQA is passed, signed by Ronald Reagan in 1970... forcing the government to reckon with its own actions in terms of the types of projects that it takes on."

A pivotal 1972 California Supreme Court decision extended CEQA’s reach to virtually all government-involved projects, including housing. This unexpected outcome led to cities like San Francisco halting new building permits, causing a significant slowdown in housing development.

Impacts of CEQA on Housing and Environment

The hosts discuss the mixed legacy of CEQA, acknowledging its role in environmental preservation while critiquing its unintended consequences on housing availability.

• Marina Balatnikova (05:40): "Environmentalists in California think of this as part of what they consider the state's really agenda setting on environmental issues..."

However, the stringent regulations contributed to a severe housing shortage, exacerbating affordability issues and increasing homelessness.

• Noel King (06:36): "More people are moving out of California than any other state in the country. According to a new study by PODS."

• Marina Balatnikova (06:42): "Only 16% of Californians can afford to buy a home."

The episode highlights the personal and societal toll of these policies, emphasizing how they have made housing increasingly unaffordable and unsustainable.

The Push for Reform: YIMBY Movement

The conversation shifts to the emergence and impact of the YIMBY movement, which has been advocating for reforms to CEQA and other housing policies for over a decade.

• Marina Balatnikova (07:23): "It's been going on for at least a decade... YIMBY affiliated legislators have chipped away at the California housing problem with all of these little bills..."

Despite previous efforts by leaders like Governor Jerry Brown failing to address CEQA's constraints, his successor Gavin Newsom made significant strides by introducing comprehensive reforms aimed at making housing development more feasible.

• Marina Balatnikova (07:57): "But CEQA has remained the kind of elephant in the room that no one was willing to take on until now."

Newsom's administration, supported by pro-housing legislators, successfully navigated the complex landscape to implement changes that reduce the regulatory burdens imposed by CEQA.

Balancing Environment and Housing: A New Paradigm

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around how the recent reforms reconcile environmental objectives with the need for increased housing.

• Marina Balatnikova (11:13): "Environmentalism in the 21st century is no longer merely about can we save this tree from being chopped down? But also, are we living sustainable lifestyles in a larger sense."

The reforms advocate for building denser housing close to existing infrastructure, thereby reducing reliance on cars and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This approach aligns environmental sustainability with urban development.

• Noel King (12:06): "If it's good for the environment for a housing project to get built, then those projects should be exempt from CEQA..."

Marina emphasizes that sustainable urban living, characterized by higher-density housing and proximity to public transit, is key to addressing both environmental and housing challenges.

• Marina Balatnikova (11:19): "...housing that is close to existing infrastructure that is close to jobs and public transit, results in lower greenhouse gas emissions and is good for the environment because it means people are driving shorter distances..."

Wider Implications and Future Outlook

The episode explores how California’s reforms could serve as a model for other states grappling with similar housing crises.

• Noel King (23:55): "Major comprehensive reforms to zoning to make it easier to build different types of housing, higher densities of housing."

Cities like Austin, Minneapolis, Montana, and Oregon are highlighted as examples where zoning reforms have successfully increased housing supply and stabilized rents.

• Noel King (25:15): "We've seen a remarkably fast change in consensus on housing policy across cities and states, both blue and red, in the last several years..."

Despite these positive developments, the hosts caution that housing prices remain high, and the gap to affordability is still substantial. However, the momentum of recent years provides reason for optimism.

Conclusion: The YIMBY Victory and Beyond

The episode concludes by affirming that the YIMBY movement has achieved significant victories in reshaping housing policies, not just in California but across the United States.

• Noel King (25:21): "Yes and no. We've seen a remarkably fast change in consensus on housing policy... that's a really promising sign."

Sean Rameswaram reflects on the transformative potential of these changes, suggesting that while the battle is not entirely won, the recent successes mark a pivotal shift towards more sustainable and affordable housing solutions.

Final Thoughts

"How the YIMBYs Won" offers a comprehensive analysis of the intersection between environmental policy and housing development. By revisiting the historical underpinnings of CEQA and highlighting recent legislative successes, the episode underscores the importance of adaptive policies in addressing complex urban challenges. The collaborative efforts of policymakers, activists, and communities exemplify the dynamic nature of societal progress towards sustainable living.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sean Rameswaram (00:00): "I can still remember the first time I heard about NIMBYs..."
• Marina Balatnikova (02:06): "If you're interested in housing politics... California looms pretty large for the rest of the country..."
• Marina Balatnikova (03:19): "CEQA is passed, signed by Ronald Reagan in 1970..."
• Noel King (06:36): "More people are moving out of California than any other state in the country..."
• Marina Balatnikova (07:23): "It's been going on for at least a decade..."
• Marina Balatnikova (11:19): "...housing that is close to existing infrastructure..."
• Noel King (25:21): "Yes and no. We've seen a remarkably fast change in consensus..."

Produced by Devin Schwartz, Fact-Checked by Laura Bullard, and edited by Miranda Kennedy. For more insights and episodes, visit Vox's Today Explained.