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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC — Thursday, November 21, 2024 — Up for Growth Action proudly supports the launch of the bipartisan Congressional YIMBY (Yes in My Back Yard) Caucus, a coalition committed to advancing policies that address America’s urgent housing shortage. With a current shortage of 3.85 million homes and housing underproduction impacting 198 metropolitan areas across the country, the Caucus seeks to drive transformative solutions to increase housing supply and affordability.
The Congressional YIMBY Caucus will bring together members of Congress, their staff, experts, and advocates to promote pro-housing policies that reduce barriers to construction and support critical infrastructure for sustainable housing growth. The following members chair the caucus:
• Representative Robert Garcia (D- CA-42)
• Representative Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11)
• Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-7)
• Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6)
• Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50)
• Representative Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19)
• Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4)
“The cost of rent is far too high. We must act to expand affordable housing options,” said Congressman Garcia. “This is a long-term, structural problem requiring us to take bold steps to create the new homes our community needs. Embracing YIMBY-ism, building more housing units, and embracing mixed-use zoning will increase our housing supply and drive down costs for Americans. We need to get more ambitious with proposals to speed up housing production, including offering more financial incentives for states and local governments that welcome new construction.”
Up for Growth Action, a key advocacy partner in the establishment of the YIMBY Caucus, commends this collective commitment to solving one of the nation’s most pressing challenges.
“We are proud to support the launch of the bipartisan Congressional YIMBY Caucus and are committed to ensuring its success,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth Action. “By bringing together members of both parties in Congress to learn from each other, state and local officials, researchers and subject matter experts, and housing practitioners, this caucus creates a vital platform to develop solutions America’s housing shortage and affordability crisis. We applaud the leadership of Reps. Garcia, Edwards, Pettersen, Ciscomani, Peters, Molinaro, and Auchincloss. It is long past time to solve this crisis.”
The Congressional YIMBY Caucus will explore and promote legislation that will lead to the construction of diverse housing types, ensure equitable access to affordable homes, and encourage community-wide collaboration to bolster housing growth.
National organizations of pro-housing activists, real estate industry leaders, and interest groups also expressed enthusiasm around the formation of the caucus. National supporters include:
• AARP
• American Planning Association
• Bipartisan Policy Center
• California YIMBY
• Inclusive Abundance Initiative
• Mortgage Bankers Association
• National Apartment Association
• National Low Income Housing Coalition
• National Multifamily Housing Council
• Niskanen Center
• Smart Growth America
• UnidosUS
• YIMBY Action
Across the country, people are suffering under the weight of ever-higher housing costs,” said Laura Foote, Executive Director of YIMBY Action. “Our national housing shortage is pushing people down into poverty, away from opportunity, and throws a wet blanket on our economy. Building more housing near jobs can uplift millions of Americans and rebuild the middle class. We’re thrilled that a decade of YIMBY activism has led to this moment, and we’re grateful to the bipartisan leaders tackling America’s housing shortage head on.”
“A critical shortage of apartment homes at all price points continues to impact communities across every corner of our country,” said National Apartment Association (NAA) President and CEO Bob Pinnegar. “Following an election where housing was at the forefront of conversation, now is the time for bold, bipartisan action.”
“The lack of housing supply and housing affordability are a national crisis affecting every region of our country. We need comprehensive and commonsense solutions to build more types of housing in more places,” said Laura Arce, Senior Vice President of UnidosUS. “We commend the establishment of the YIMBY Caucus and stand ready to support its work to create a housing market that works for all families.”
About Up for Growth Action:
Up for Growth Action® is the only U.S. organization singularly focused on leading federal legislation to eliminate barriers and increase resources for housing production. Through data-driven policies, coalition-building, and advocacy, it forges policies and partnerships to achieve housing equity, eliminate systemic barriers, and create more homes.
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