YIMBY Nation (Yes, In My Back Yard‪)‬ Jimmy Lee Miller, Vincencia Adusei, Peter J. Wood

The housing and communities that people live in can influence nearly every aspect of their lives; from where they work to how they get there, the quality of the schools in their area, and even their longevity. Today, we take a deep dive into how zoning, land use policies, and efforts like NIMBYism affect affordability, equality in education, and economic mobility in our communities. Joining us to discuss this topic is Yonah Freemark, a Principal Research Associate at the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Yonah is the Research Director of the Land Use Lab at Urban where his research focuses on the intersection of land use, affordable housing, transportation, and governance. Tuning in, you’ll learn how the Urban Institute works toward using public policy to create a brighter future for all, what it looks like to close the Black-white wealth gap in America, the need to shift our focus from policy to the needs of the individual, the importance of allowing people access to the communities they want to live in and redirecting investments into the communities that need them most, and much more! You won’t want to miss this thought-provoking conversation.


Key Points From This Episode:
How Yonah became interested in #policy, #housing, transportation, land use and the way people live.Public policy for a better future: insight into the work that the #Urban Institute does.The impact of the Great Recession on closing the Black-White #wealth gap in the US.Ways to address racial #inequality as a result of exclusionary #landuse policies.What it means to improve #equity for people across race and gender boundaries.NIMBYism and the role of the federal government in leveling the playing field for affordable housing development in local communities.The impact that county governments with a regional outlook can have on land use policy.Correlations between zoning policies and access to opportunity.A look at the Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing (MTO) initiative in Chicago, the story of the impact of #YIMBY activism in New Haven’s West Rock community, and other impactful initiatives.Perspectives on solving unjust public policies and why there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.The power of individual actions and citizen initiatives.Key takeaways from this discussion and actionable advice for anyone listening.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Yonah Freemark
Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center
Urban Institute
Land Use Lab at Urban (LULU)
Yonah Freemark on X
Yonah Freemark on LinkedIn
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

Bringing about positive public policy change requires knowledge, insight, and above all, commitment. Our guest today, Michele "Dr. Tiny" Williams, has had a varied career that spans the military, real estate, and public policy. While conducting research for her recent Ph.D. in Public Policy, she examined the relationship between health and housing, the results of which had a huge impact on the latter half of her career.  After realizing the substantial role that geography played in health outcomes, Michele recognized that your zip code shouldn’t determine your lifespan. Her experience during a bike adventure that involved helping communities fix their homes further catalyzed Michele to become involved in housing and public policy. Since then, she has made it her mission to transform public housing and address the systemic inefficiencies that are putting countless people in a position where they face homelessness or risk making dire compromises. She is the chief visionary behind COBA US, a non-profit organization that seeks to establish policy development, with a focus on tiny house communities and affordable rentals. Michele is also the Executive Director of The Fuller Center of Housing in Delaware.  In our conversation today, Michele delves into the many elements of her work, including the extensive policy work she’s done over the past few years, the benefits and drawbacks of tiny homes, and how to listen to the needs of the communities you work with before taking action. To learn more about Michele and how these organizations are challenging the status quo, be sure to tune in to this inspiring conversation!


Key Points From This Episode:
Michele’s varied career in the military, entrepreneurship, and real estate.How Michele earned her Ph.D. in public policy and her interest in health and housing.The non-profit, COBA US, and how it was founded as a result of a bike adventure.Michele’s connection to Habitat for Humanity.Some of the problems that can arise from partnering with government entities.COBA US’s relationship with government officials and why they don’t do any lobbying.How COBA US engages with their communities and corporations.The extensive policy work that Michele has been occupied with over the past three years.The current reach of COBA US and how they are looking to expand.An overview of the tiny house movement.The drawbacks and benefits of owning a tiny home.Michele’s book recommendations for anyone interested in Tiny Homes, a history of housing in America, and more.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dirt to Keys website - Soon to launch
Michele A. Williams on LinkedIn
Michele A. Williams Email
The Tiny House Alliance USA
COBA US Info Sheet
The Habitat for Humanity
YIMBY Delaware
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

Most of us assume that the case for reparations to address the inhumane legacy of slavery is primarily about financial compensation. But that’s not necessarily the case. In part two of our conversation with Valerie White, we take a closer look at systemic inequities in the US and the potential for reparations to begin to repair them. We discuss the role that slavery and segregation played in creating the massive racial wealth gap and how it continues to define modern America. Next, Valerie unpacks what reparations might look like beyond financial compensation, and why systemic change is needed in all sectors of government, from education to housing. She also confronts the polarized state of US politics and the hostility that some groups have toward equity and change. Despite the enduring injustices of the status quo and the glacial pace of systemic change, Valerie still finds reasons for hope in the small victories she comes across in her advocacy work. To hear more of Valerie’s insights, and the remainder of our conversation on disrupting systemic inequities, be sure to tune in today.


Key Points From This Episode:
An overview of the racial wealth gap in the US.Historical factors that have contributed to systemic inequality.Reparation efforts and examples of initiatives that have decreased the racial wealth gap.Why the term ‘reparations’ covers more than just financial reparations.The systemic repairs that need to take place in the US.Valerie’s limited expectations for systemic change.How Valerie finds hope when systemic change is so incremental.Political polarization in the US and how different groups view equity.A breakdown of the holistic and intentional approach that LISC NY takes in uplifting communities.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Valerie White on LinkedIn
Valerie Email
LISC NY
LISC on LinkedIn
LISC NY on LinkedIn
LISC on Facebook
LISC NY on Facebook
The U.S. Racial Wealth Gap, 1860–2020
The Color of Money
Ford Foundation
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

Founded in 1979, The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a non-profit organization that has played a pivotal role in growing community development initiatives across the country for over three decades. Joining us today to discuss LISC’s work, community advocacy, systemic inequities, and more, is Senior Executive Director at LISC NY Valerie White. We kick off Part I of our conversation with Valerie by talking about her upbringing and how her parents inspired her to become involved with advocacy work and public service. She goes on to describe her time at New York Housing Authority (NYCHA) and reflects on how it shaped her outlook as well as the important work the organization has done for marginalized communities. Valerie also provides a detailed breakdown of the initiatives at LISC NY, including their Developers of Color Program, and why it’s so important for creating greater access and opportunity for BIPOC individuals. She goes on to unpack what can be learned from rapidly developing cities across Africa and the lessons she came away with after her visits to countries like Kenya and Cote d'Ivoire. Join us today to learn about the important work LISC NY is doing to uplift underinvested communities and what to expect from them going forward. 


Key Points From This Episode:
Introducing today’s guest, Valerie White, Senior Executive Director at The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) NY.Learn about the history of LISC and the work it’s doing to uplift underinvested communities.The work that Valerie’s parents did as public servants, and how they inspired her advocacy work.Valerie’s work at New York Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the important strides that they have made in housing over the past three decades.What can be learned from rapidly developing cities in Africa.Valerie’s trips to Kenya and Cote d'Ivoire and what she learned from her visits.Learn about The Developers of Color program offered by LISC.Examples of how developers of color are excluded from access and opportunities.The role that capital plays in your level of agency and access.An overview of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) certification.Learn who can take part in The Developers of Color program in New York.How LISC is financing comprehensive community development that goes beyond housing.Join us in a few weeks for Part I of a can't-miss conversation!


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Valerie White on LinkedIn
Valerie White on Twitter
Valerie Email
LISC NY
LISC on LinkedIn
LISC NY on LinkedIn
LISC on Facebook
LISC NY on Facebook
Ford Foundation
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

We are a country in crisis. Poverty, homelessness, and unfit housing continues to plague our society, along with issues of race and gender in America. During today’s conversation, leading economist Dr. Fred McKinney weighs in on the distinction between absolute and relative poverty; his belief is that while there will always be relative poor living among us, our focus should be on eradicating the presence of absolute poverty. Tune in to hear about the importance of government support, how the last six years have revealed that the country is in crisis, and why the poverty crisis cannot be separated from the problem of race and gender. Hear why Dr. Fred’s advice to listeners is that history, government, and activism are all important. He reminds listeners that nobody is going to save you, so you have to band together and get organized. Join the conversation today!


Key Points From This Episode:
Absolute poverty versus relative poverty and how this pertains to life in America today.What happened when there were no housing codes in 1890.The landlords in New Haven who were taken to criminal housing court for the conditions of their rental properties. The danger of laissez faire economics. Why Dr. Fred believes there will always be relative poor living among us.His belief that we should therefore focus on eradicating the presence of absolute poverty.The importance of government in creating infrastructures to support this. How the last six years have revealed that the country is in crisis. Why the poverty crisis cannot be separated from the problem of race and gender. How the Roe v Wade ruling resembles 19th Century America.Threats Dr. Fred has been receiving in response to his column on the Connecticut Post.Redlining and how history plays a role in helping us understand where we are today. Dr. Fred’s parting message: history is important, government is important, and activism is important.His reminder that nobody is going to save you, so you have to band together and get organized!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dr. Fred McKinney on LinkedIn
Dr. Fred McKinney on Twitter
Dr. Fred McKinney on Email
BJM Solutions 
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

America is in a housing crisis. Following the pandemic, inflation is on the rise leading to  widespread housing issues. With rising rental prices and a plummeting home ownership market, homelessness and substandard housing are also on the rise. Today’s guest, Dr. Fred McKinney, is a leading economist working in higher education and consulting in business development, with a focus on corporate social responsibility and diversity training. During today’s conversation, Dr. Fred shares his insights on the critical role of affordable housing in supporting low and moderate-income citizens, the relationship between mental health and homelessness, and short and long term solutions to the homelessness and ill-housing problem. We touch on the gap between the myth of success and the reality of what it takes to get there, and how business participation in development can help create generational wealth. Dr. Fred shares what he has uncovered through surveying supplier diversity professionals, and reveals the pernicious effect of corporations masquerading as supporting minority-owned businesses. Join us today to hear his thoughts about policing this problem, increasing responsibility, prioritizing fairness and whistleblowing, and much more! 


Key Points From This Episode:
An introduction to today’s guest, Dr. Fred McKinney, with BJM Solutions.How pandemic-related inflation has further impacted the housing market. The federal reserve’s increase in interest rates which has affected home ownership markets.The critical role of affordable housing in supporting low and moderate income citizens.How homelessness and substandard housing creates stress on households and children.The relationship between mental health and homelessness. Short term solutions of offering support to the symptoms of homelessness. Long term solutions which lead to questions about how to support the poor in the long term. The gap between the myth of success and the reality of what it takes to succeed.Creating businesses and generational wealth through business participation in development.What Dr. Fred found when he surveyed supplier diversity professionals in large corporations.The pernicious effect of corporations that front as building minority-owned businesses.Why pass-through’s don’t generate community wealth, but end up in large firms instead.Policing these transactions in private and public contracts through whistleblowing.How to increase these policing structures through increased responsibility, minorities alerting the authorities, and creating public pressure.An invitation to join us for part two of this conversation on September 2.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dr. Fred McKinney on LinkedIn
Dr. Fred McKinney on Twitter
BJM Solutions 
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