Category Archives: NIMBY

Endless Studies: NIMBY Tactic to Discourage Development

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This is how they do it. Affluent towns like New Canaan use endless “studies” to discourage affordable housing development. And they often create “committees” purportedly to produce more affordable housing, but in reality to kill any new proposals.

I’ve even seen cities purposely rezone low-lying and swampy areas for affordable housing, knowing they will never be buildable. That way, they can look good on paper (zoning map) while systematically discriminating against lower income families.

This is the modern face of bigotry.

From the piece:

“In a letter to the town, Karp’s attorney Christopher Smith argued the WPCA is trying to prevent more affordable housing from being developed in New Canaan and the delay has nothing to do with global warming.”

A link to the piece is found here

Gentrification vs Redevelopment (Revisited)

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How is this any different than private investors purchasing dilapidated, unsafe homes and displacing the tenants (i.e., “gentrification”)?

In reality, ANY investment – private or public – which increases the stock of safe, decent housing should be embraced enthusiastically.

Let’s not settle for homeless encampments or squatters in boarded up housing. Discouraging investment to maintain the status quo does nothing to help these people.

NIMBY Wordplay

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Classic NIMBY tactic. Instead of referring to this proposal as a 48-unit affordable housing community, it’s being referred to by opponents as a 300-person apartment complex.

Three observations:
1) “48 units” versus “300-person”
2) “affordable housing” versus “apartment”
3) “community” versus “complex”

This sort of wordplay is really dishonest. If you have a problem with a project, attack it on its merits instead of using word manipulation or rhetoric.

From the piece:

“The uncertainty of what a two or 300 person apartment complex would bring to the area is not something we want to roll the dice on….”

https://www.wtoc.com/2021/02/11/some-concerned-by-port-royal-affordable-housing-proposal/