The “Yes In My Back Yard” (YIMBY) movement has picked up steam in recent years in response to the national housing crisis. At its core, the movement is pro-housing development. However, YIMBYISM’s real-life impact can be detrimental to a neighborhood when it causes gentrification and erosion of community character.
Recently, PlaceEconomics conducted a review of the YIMBY movement’s attacks on historic districts. They found that historic preservation doesn’t stand in the way of affordable housing. In reality, preservation has been proven to encourage better land-use practices.
Key takeaways from PlaceEconomics:
Historic districts provide density at a human scale.
Duplexes, triplexes and small apartment buildings add density and affordability but are rarely built today.
Historic districts occupy a very small percentage of the land area in most cities.
Nationally, housing built prior to 1970 on average costs 16% less than newly-built housing.
79% of preservationists believe that historic districts should not be exempt from Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) requirements.
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