Land use policy is the common denominator underlying every aspect of California politics. Housing, transportation, education, poverty, inequality, and socioeconomic mobility are all impacted by how we regulate the built environment. And in a big way, the the regulations have been bad.

The framework in place has systematically hampered the market’s supply response, choked off funding sources for below market rate housing, and created a class of tax protected petite landed gentry with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. But thanks to the tireless efforts of a few intrepid pioneers, we’ve taken concrete steps toward real reform.

In city council meetings across the region, YIMBY groups now provide consistent criticism of the no-growth orthodoxy that’s been unchallenged for the last several decades. Pro-housing majorities now preside on the Palo Alto City Council as well as the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (SFBoS). Menlo Park’s land use code now allows for an additional 10,000 housing units in anticipation of continued economic growth. The California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund has moved forward with lawsuits against Bay Are cities restricting housing production in violation of state law. And new state level legislation streamlines the creation of ADUs (aka granny flats), allowing homeowners to turn extra space into extra housing. All things considered, 2016 was a great year for Bay Area housing reform and 2017 could be even better — but only if we keep up the momentum.

This year, more projects will struggle through local approval processes. Additional general plan updates will need the ok from City Councils. And new statewide pro-housing law (SB35 and AB71) will need to clear the legislature in Sacramento. But these things won’t happen on their own. We’ll have to pay for them with emails, public comments, votes and every other type of advocacy we can bring to bear.

Thankfully, the pioneers have already laid the foundation for success in 2017. They’ve already created the organizations, they’re already tracking the issues, and they already know where the effort needs to be spent. They just need our help.

Throughout the year, we’ll be asking you to support various projects, policies and causes. But for right now, just take the step of getting connected. Follow us on Medium, Twitter or Facebook and sign up for your local YIMBY organization’s mailing list. 2016 was good, 2017 could be great. Join us in making our region a haven for everyone wanting to come here as well as a home for everyone trying to stay.

Local YIMBY orgs by city:

San Francisco

Palo Alto

The East Bay

Redwood City

Menlo Park