By Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN
October 28, 2025
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/28/how-california-is-taking-on-nimbys
New York — New York City voters are currently deciding on one of the most polarizing issues in decades. But it has nothing to do with 34-year-old democratic socialist mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.
Instead, it will determine who has the power to greenlight — or block— affordable housing development in the city.
Several proposals on the ballot could speed up affordable housing development and land use approvals in the city. The proposals have pitted the City Council against the mayor, and developers against unions. The fight is symbolic of a larger power struggle playing out in liberal cities and states like New York and California. Despite championing inclusion, these places are some of the most unaffordable in America and have policies that empower local voices to block affordable housing, often called NIMBYism “Not In My Backyard.”
“Everyone wants new housing, but no one wants it on their block,” said David Schleicher, a Yale University professor of property and urban law.
Power to block housing
One ballot proposal in New York City would speed up review for affordable housing developments in the neighborhoods that have built the fewest. Another would remove a local city council member’s ability to kill a housing project.
Supporters of these reforms say zoning laws have been hijacked by NIMBYs, and control should be shifted away from local leaders to cities and states. Local government is typically most responsive to vocal, well-funded homeowners who oppose affordable buildings on their blocks over fears their property values will decline or strain school systems.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and affordable housing advocates back the ballot measures. The proposals build on recent city zoning code changes to add more housing, such as making it easier to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) like garages and basement apartments or converting office buildings into apartments.
But City Council members say the proposals silence neighborhood voices, and labor unions say they weaken important checks on real estate developers.
The ballot measures come as New York City faces one of the worst housing affordability crises in its history. Median rents have hit nearly $5,000 a month in Manhattan, and vacancy rates have fallen to a record low of 1.4%.
A similar reckoning is playing out in California over policies that made it difficult to build housing, contributing to sky-high rents.
California rolled back its landmark environmental law earlier this year, which had given neighborhoods and groups a powerful tool to sue to stop housing development.
California also passed legislation this month permitting apartment buildings near major rail and bus stations around the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law over fierce pushback from some local governments.
“We’re going to have multi-story apartment towers in residential neighborhoods,” said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park. “This is an effort to Manhattan-ize Los Angeles.”