How the YIMBYs won

Today, Explained

Vox

Daily News, Politics, News

4.4 • 9.5K Ratings

🗓️ 17 July 2025

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Yes in My Backyard-ers are celebrating reforms to California's landmark environmental laws, which they say will bring much-needed housing. Nationwide, the revolution might finally be here. This episode was made in collaboration with Vox’s Future Perfect. It was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Former LA City Councilmember Joe Buscaino showing off a "YIMBY" (Yes In My Back Yard) shirt. Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, my name's Sean Ramoser. My host today explained along with Noel King, and I can still remember the first time I heard about Nimbies.
0:08.9	You know, not in my backyard types.
0:12.2	Ah, cool. Apartments. Yeah. Apartments are good for society, but don't put them behind my backyard and block my view.
0:19.7	Put them somewhere else.
0:20.6	All right, boys. boys, pack it up.
0:22.6	And I also remember when I started hearing about Yimbi's,
0:26.2	yes, in my backyard types.
0:29.0	Oh, cool, apartments, yes.
0:31.3	Apartments are good for society.
0:33.0	Please put them behind my backyard and block my view.
0:36.0	You know what, you can build them on top of me.
0:38.0	All right, you heard, lady.
0:39.2	Put it down right here.
0:43.8	And I can even remember when it seemed like the Yimbies won.
0:48.5	Because that kind of just happened.
0:50.6	The best evidence is out in California, and we're heading there, at least spiritually, on the show today.
1:01.3	Support for this show comes from OnePassword. If you're an IT or security pro, managing devices, identities, and applications can feel overwhelming and risky.
1:12.5	Trellica by OnePassword helps conquer SaaS sprawl and Shadow IT by discovering every app your team uses, managed or not.
1:21.1	Take the first step to better security for your team.
1:24.6	Learn more at OnePassword.com slash podcast offer. That's OnePassword.com slash podcast offer,
1:33.6	all lowercase.
1:37.7	Support for this program comes from FM. Established nearly two centuries ago,
	...

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