Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
@wryimby.bsky.social
Waterloo Region Yes in my Backyard, also known as WR YIMBY, is a grassroots community group that urges the cities of Waterloo Region to adjust their zoning to allow for more housing, especially affordable housing.
https://www.wryimby.com/
https://www.wryimby.com/
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
Idle thought, we all understand that dense urban infill improves the net lifecycle balance of infrastructure costs. So why do we charge high development fees on this kind of infill?
WATCH: If you really STILL don’t understand how car-dependent suburbia is HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED by downtown & all the urban parts of your city, please watch this EXCELLENT video by #NotJustBikes helped by #UrbanThree & @StrongTowns.org. And then please SHARE it as much as possible. youtu.be/7Nw6qyyrTeI
November 22, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Idle thought, we all understand that dense urban infill improves the net lifecycle balance of infrastructure costs. So why do we charge high development fees on this kind of infill?
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
For the Star, I make the case for the condo/apartment as aspirational -- that the Canadian dream can also be an apartment in a dense neighbourhood and not, as is so often the case in this country, be taken to only ever mean a detached house. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Navneet Alang: Condos get a bad rap. Here’s why they should be part of the Canadian dream
My parents bought their first home for 11,000 pounds (approximately $20,000) in 1974. It was an ordinary small row house on a dour street in East London. Now, more than
www.thestar.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM
For the Star, I make the case for the condo/apartment as aspirational -- that the Canadian dream can also be an apartment in a dense neighbourhood and not, as is so often the case in this country, be taken to only ever mean a detached house. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
Fantastic piece that avoids naivete while offering a needed defense of condo living in the national discourse. The preening condescencion from comfortably housed progressives in Canada about "shoebox" living is often insuffocating, and presumptuous about the choices they think people should make.
For the Star, I make the case for the condo/apartment as aspirational -- that the Canadian dream can also be an apartment in a dense neighbourhood and not, as is so often the case in this country, be taken to only ever mean a detached house. www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Navneet Alang: Condos get a bad rap. Here’s why they should be part of the Canadian dream
My parents bought their first home for 11,000 pounds (approximately $20,000) in 1974. It was an ordinary small row house on a dour street in East London. Now, more than
www.thestar.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Fantastic piece that avoids naivete while offering a needed defense of condo living in the national discourse. The preening condescencion from comfortably housed progressives in Canada about "shoebox" living is often insuffocating, and presumptuous about the choices they think people should make.
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
Despite planning dogma, “stable residential neighbourhoods” aren’t
Almost everywhere in the City of Toronto has fewer people that it did 50 years ago
November 15, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Despite planning dogma, “stable residential neighbourhoods” aren’t
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
Yesterday I sat for a lecture by 3 folks from ReHousing. Hosted by UofT's school of Arch, they detailed the history of change in Toronto, how post-war suburbs rubber-stamped neighbourhoods as repetitive as a 100 floor condo does today, horizontally, & how for half a century we've seen near no change
November 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Yesterday I sat for a lecture by 3 folks from ReHousing. Hosted by UofT's school of Arch, they detailed the history of change in Toronto, how post-war suburbs rubber-stamped neighbourhoods as repetitive as a 100 floor condo does today, horizontally, & how for half a century we've seen near no change
Kitchener's Draft Official Plan is up for you to comment on! www.engagewr.ca/kitchener2051
For background, we made some preliminary comments on what we would like to see in an Official Plan- back in February last year- static1.squarespace.com/static/5f6b5...
For background, we made some preliminary comments on what we would like to see in an Official Plan- back in February last year- static1.squarespace.com/static/5f6b5...
Kitchener 2051
Help write Kitchener's new Official Plan. Share your voice. Shape our city.
www.engagewr.ca
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Kitchener's Draft Official Plan is up for you to comment on! www.engagewr.ca/kitchener2051
For background, we made some preliminary comments on what we would like to see in an Official Plan- back in February last year- static1.squarespace.com/static/5f6b5...
For background, we made some preliminary comments on what we would like to see in an Official Plan- back in February last year- static1.squarespace.com/static/5f6b5...
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
"The convenience and choices cars provide can’t be denied, but cars also take priority over people all the time. We’ve structured our entire approach to housing around the needs of cars. In many cases, if a development can’t accommodate enough parking spaces, it can’t be built at all." -Philip Mills
www.therecord.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:02 PM
"The convenience and choices cars provide can’t be denied, but cars also take priority over people all the time. We’ve structured our entire approach to housing around the needs of cars. In many cases, if a development can’t accommodate enough parking spaces, it can’t be built at all." -Philip Mills
Anyone concerned with encampment evictions in Cambridge and the lack of shelter space (despite denials) should follow @reganbrusse.bsky.social's work here: www.mymothernamedmesunshine.ca?fbclid=IwY2x...
Welcome!
Where our Federal and Provincial aids hold gaps, we must persist. Where our local government needs time to change, we must loudly be patient. Loudly, so they feel our support for change. Loudly so th...
www.mymothernamedmesunshine.ca
November 11, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Anyone concerned with encampment evictions in Cambridge and the lack of shelter space (despite denials) should follow @reganbrusse.bsky.social's work here: www.mymothernamedmesunshine.ca?fbclid=IwY2x...
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
For real though, the stage 3 Waterloo route would connect the 4 largest growth areas outside Uptown. The only thing is it would be ludicrous to not rezone the Boardwalk for mixed use, because it's actually the perfect candidate for retrofitting sprawl*
*it's ludicrous we haven't done it yet period
*it's ludicrous we haven't done it yet period
November 8, 2025 at 7:49 PM
For real though, the stage 3 Waterloo route would connect the 4 largest growth areas outside Uptown. The only thing is it would be ludicrous to not rezone the Boardwalk for mixed use, because it's actually the perfect candidate for retrofitting sprawl*
*it's ludicrous we haven't done it yet period
*it's ludicrous we haven't done it yet period
We'll be discussing @cwhitzman.bsky.social's book Home Truths on November 23rd, 2pm, downtown Kitchener. DM us for the address if you'd like to join this book club!
To do this, housing experts @cwhitzman.bsky.social
and Priya Perwani call for the creation of “at least 4.4 million affordable homes" to meet the target of 20 percent of our housing stock being affordable. maytree.com/publications...
and Priya Perwani call for the creation of “at least 4.4 million affordable homes" to meet the target of 20 percent of our housing stock being affordable. maytree.com/publications...
Scaling up affordable housing through a ‘Build Canada Homes’ proposal
With a $40B annual investment, "Build Canada Homes" could deliver 200,000 non-market housing units annually – 40% of federal targets – by partnering with non-market developers and retaining government...
maytree.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:57 PM
We'll be discussing @cwhitzman.bsky.social's book Home Truths on November 23rd, 2pm, downtown Kitchener. DM us for the address if you'd like to join this book club!
With the federal budget introduced on November 4, it’s worth highlighting the opportunity Canada has to significantly increase its social housing stock through Build Canada Homes. This can help us end homelessness. 1/5
static1.squarespace.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:59 PM
With the federal budget introduced on November 4, it’s worth highlighting the opportunity Canada has to significantly increase its social housing stock through Build Canada Homes. This can help us end homelessness. 1/5
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New housing stops landlords from raising rents—take it from the CEO of AvalonBay, one of NYC's largest landlords:
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
October 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
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Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
New housing stops landlords from raising rents—take it from the CEO of AvalonBay, one of NYC's largest landlords:
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
October 30, 2025 at 10:48 PM
New housing stops landlords from raising rents—take it from the CEO of AvalonBay, one of NYC's largest landlords:
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
PSA: Stacked townhomes, rowhouses, apartments, and yes, even 'towers' are RESIDENTIAL. #HousingForAll
Good grief. If this is what our leadership offers (this is Cambridge Cllr Helen Shwery), we're screwed. www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
October 30, 2025 at 12:32 AM
PSA: Stacked townhomes, rowhouses, apartments, and yes, even 'towers' are RESIDENTIAL. #HousingForAll
We've seen opposition to immigration due to housing affordability, and it's important to push back as housing advocates ourselves- immigration is an important source of broader opportunity in an unequal world. We can't be for removing barriers to housing while pushing for + barriers to citizenship
WR YIMBY is very concerned with the federal government’s Bill C-2 and the replacement Bill C-12, because each bill includes troubling measures that would limit migrant rights, including their right to claim asylum. We urge the federal government to rescind these bills @mark-carney.bsky.social 1/6
October 27, 2025 at 10:29 PM
We've seen opposition to immigration due to housing affordability, and it's important to push back as housing advocates ourselves- immigration is an important source of broader opportunity in an unequal world. We can't be for removing barriers to housing while pushing for + barriers to citizenship
WR YIMBY is very concerned with the federal government’s Bill C-2 and the replacement Bill C-12, because each bill includes troubling measures that would limit migrant rights, including their right to claim asylum. We urge the federal government to rescind these bills @mark-carney.bsky.social 1/6
October 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
WR YIMBY is very concerned with the federal government’s Bill C-2 and the replacement Bill C-12, because each bill includes troubling measures that would limit migrant rights, including their right to claim asylum. We urge the federal government to rescind these bills @mark-carney.bsky.social 1/6
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
The thing about "gentle density" is that it's never gentle enough.
Multiplexes were supposed to boost housing in Toronto’s suburban neighbourhoods.
The Star’s interactive map reveals they’re clustered in these areas instead
The Star’s interactive map reveals they’re clustered in these areas instead
Multiplexes were supposed to boost housing in Toronto’s suburban neighbourhoods. The Star’s interactive map reveals they’re clustered in these areas instead
Opposition to multiplexes has been fierce in the city’s outer wards, but that’s not the only reason for slow uptake.
www.thestar.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:38 PM
The thing about "gentle density" is that it's never gentle enough.
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
I actually think there is value in considering which properties/areas should be 'protected' in some way, however, this article fails to mention some of the trade-offs that might come with the mass heritage protections that are proposed. www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
October 11, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I actually think there is value in considering which properties/areas should be 'protected' in some way, however, this article fails to mention some of the trade-offs that might come with the mass heritage protections that are proposed. www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
"Whatever was meant, the othering of future neighbours was not persuasive to Council then, and it shouldn’t be now." Beyond the policy aspects, Don Iveson really hits at the most key ingredient for housing change: city councils with the moral imagination to brave opposition for a better city.
The big picture on housing, density and affordability
How Edmonton's approach fights for affordability and fiscal efficiency
open.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:51 PM
"Whatever was meant, the othering of future neighbours was not persuasive to Council then, and it shouldn’t be now." Beyond the policy aspects, Don Iveson really hits at the most key ingredient for housing change: city councils with the moral imagination to brave opposition for a better city.
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
On brand for us: all four of our volunteers came by bike (one of them even did a multi-modal bike-bus-bike trip!)
September 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
On brand for us: all four of our volunteers came by bike (one of them even did a multi-modal bike-bus-bike trip!)
Happening in half an hour- until 6pm!- Waterloo Region Climate Fest at Gaukel Block!
Perfect timing to reshare this:
“Households in denser neighborhoods close to city centers tend to be responsible for fewer planet-warming greenhouse gases, on average” 1/2
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Perfect timing to reshare this:
“Households in denser neighborhoods close to city centers tend to be responsible for fewer planet-warming greenhouse gases, on average” 1/2
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
September 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Happening in half an hour- until 6pm!- Waterloo Region Climate Fest at Gaukel Block!
Perfect timing to reshare this:
“Households in denser neighborhoods close to city centers tend to be responsible for fewer planet-warming greenhouse gases, on average” 1/2
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Perfect timing to reshare this:
“Households in denser neighborhoods close to city centers tend to be responsible for fewer planet-warming greenhouse gases, on average” 1/2
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
Whenever people talk about "luxury housing," I remember there are literal mansions in Hartford, CT that are now selling for less than it costs to buy a starter home in Silicon Valley. If we judge luxury by market value, there is no housing that is intrinsically, permanently "luxury housing."
September 26, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Whenever people talk about "luxury housing," I remember there are literal mansions in Hartford, CT that are now selling for less than it costs to buy a starter home in Silicon Valley. If we judge luxury by market value, there is no housing that is intrinsically, permanently "luxury housing."
Interested in learning more about ending exclusionary zoning and scaling up non-market housing? Worth registering for the recording later even if you can't make it noon PT, 3 EST on October 1:
Our 2nd fall webinar, The Housing Crisis Is Solvable, features @1alexhemingway.bsky.social and Sarah Ellis on where urgent action is needed with lessons from on-the-ground efforts to create new non-profit housing.
Learn why recent policy has fallen short.
Oct. 1, noon PT
bcpolicy.ca/events
Learn why recent policy has fallen short.
Oct. 1, noon PT
bcpolicy.ca/events
September 27, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Interested in learning more about ending exclusionary zoning and scaling up non-market housing? Worth registering for the recording later even if you can't make it noon PT, 3 EST on October 1:
Reposted by Waterloo Region Yes In My Backyard
"Growth should pay for growth" is a political choice to socialize the benefits of immigration while privatizing its infrastructure costs onto younger cohorts, insulating established homeowners and corporations from financial responsibility
open.substack.com/pub/missingm...
open.substack.com/pub/missingm...
The Policy Sleight of Hand Behind “Growth Should Pay for Growth”
Houses don't use libraries, people do
open.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
"Growth should pay for growth" is a political choice to socialize the benefits of immigration while privatizing its infrastructure costs onto younger cohorts, insulating established homeowners and corporations from financial responsibility
open.substack.com/pub/missingm...
open.substack.com/pub/missingm...
@jensvb.bsky.social; @tomdavidoff.bsky.social; @lausterna.bsky.social and Tsur Somerville
find that expediting permitting processes and reduced parking mandates were crucial components determining the success of BC upzonings:
find that expediting permitting processes and reduced parking mandates were crucial components determining the success of BC upzonings:
Interesting new paper compares density upzonings in two similar BC cities that had dramatically different effects in terms of construction & value uplift.
Keys to the difference? Effects were only felt when upzoning was accompanied with expedited permitting processes & reduced parking requirements.
Keys to the difference? Effects were only felt when upzoning was accompanied with expedited permitting processes & reduced parking requirements.
Upzoning and redevelopment: The details matter
Facing worsening housing affordability, policymakers in a growing number of jurisdictions have heeded economists’ calls for increases in supply throug…
www.sciencedirect.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
@jensvb.bsky.social; @tomdavidoff.bsky.social; @lausterna.bsky.social and Tsur Somerville
find that expediting permitting processes and reduced parking mandates were crucial components determining the success of BC upzonings:
find that expediting permitting processes and reduced parking mandates were crucial components determining the success of BC upzonings: