The ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ (YIGBY) legislation, officially titled SB 4, holds the potential to significantly redefine the landscape of affordable housing development. This forthcoming change is courtesy of senator Scott Weiner and assemblymember Tina McKinnor’s bold efforts in pushing a unique initiative that could help combat the increasing housing crisis.
More formally known as the Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act, SB 4 empowers religious communities and private nonprofit colleges to build affordable housing on their land without the requirement to strictly comply with zoning standards. As a step forward, the bill has already been approved by the legislature and now awaits Governor Newsom’s consent.
As a paradigm shift in the traditional process of housing creation, SB 4 acknowledges the critical role religious groups and private nonprofit colleges can play in delivering housing solutions. This around-the-zoning approach might be particularly beneficial in regions struggling with housing availability and affordability – a concern that continues to snowball in size and severity not only in the United States but also across the globe.
One of the most compelling arguments in favor of the YIGBY legislation is the wide-scale availability of land owned by religious entities and colleges. By providing them with the “by right” permission to construct housing units, the bill could lead to a substantial increase in the supply of affordable homes where they are needed the most.
The concept of YIGBY is somewhat reminiscent of the ‘Yes In My Back Yard’ (YIMBY) movement which advocates for increased urban density to resolve housing issues. However, YIGBY takes this further by tapping into the potential of unutilized or underutilized land plots owned by faith-based organizations and educational institutions.
While the effects of the SB 4 Act will take time to materialize, it does open up a new avenue for housing solution discussions. The bill’s ultimate effectiveness will largely hinge on how religious organizations, non-profit colleges, and local communities respond to and utilize this elegantly simple yet potentially far-reaching antidote to affordable housing shortages.
For more details, you can read the full report here.