{"id":10540,"date":"2026-03-29T15:02:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-29T19:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluedoor.ca\/?p=10540"},"modified":"2026-03-30T15:05:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T19:05:21","slug":"road-home-how-can-we-shift-from-nimby-to-yimby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluedoor.ca\/road-home-how-can-we-shift-from-nimby-to-yimby\/","title":{"rendered":"ROAD HOME: How can we shift from NIMBY to YIMBY?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Posted On: March 29, 2026, Posted By: Debbie Schatia, NewmarketToday, Original Article. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With York Region at a crossroads, Blue Door CEO invites community to have a conversation with her about how community values can shift to ‘yes in my backyard’ for supportive and affordable housing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do we shift from \u201cnot in my backyard\u201d to \u201cyes in my backyard?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a question I was asked by a communications partner, Wendy Kauffman, and it has stuck with me. Not because I necessarily have the answer, but because I believe it is an important conversation. If we can shift our feelings and beliefs, we could help so many people who need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding NIMBYism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We all know the phrase \u201cNIMBY.\u201d For those of us who work with individuals experiencing homelessness, we hear it often, especially when opening new programs or approaching landlords about vacancies. \u201cNIMBYism\u201d is often rooted in a desire to protect the things we know and value about our neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It comes from a fear that the safety of our neighbourhoods will be compromised if people who have experienced homelessness move in. There are concerns about break-ins, drug use, and potential violence. There are also worries about declining property values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These fears are real for many people, but they are often based on misconceptions rather than facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why this conversation matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Today, York Region is changing, and many of our neighbours are struggling. The economy has taken a real turn, and more people are losing jobs or finding their salaries have not kept pace with inflation. As a result, many can no longer afford the average rent of $1,586 for a one-bedroom apartment in York Region, let alone the ever-increasing costs of food, utilities and everything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine living on Ontario Works with a monthly income of $733, or on Ontario Disability Support Program benefits with $1,408 a month. Perhaps you are a senior who worked your entire life and saved for retirement, only to find the life you planned for has become unaffordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or imagine earning minimum wage, taking home just over $2,600 a month, and having about $1,014 left for food, transportation and utilities. Now imagine that same income while supporting one or two children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you are a young person struggling to find a job, and landlords are hesitant to rent to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also individuals who have lived for years with mental health and\/or addiction challenges and who, without the right support, cannot maintain stable housing. It is nearly impossible to recover while living on the streets or in emergency housing, where conditions can further impact mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are the individuals emergency shelters serve every day. They are the people experiencing homelessness who urgently need safe, stable and affordable housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A clear and urgent picture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

York Region\u2019s 2024 point-in-time count shows something we cannot ignore. Homelessness in our region has more than doubled since 2021. If we do not shift from NIMBY to YIMBY, this trend will continue, and solutions will remain out of reach for those who need them most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes in my backyard: Building a York Region where everyone belongs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A \u201cyes in my backyard\u201d mindset is not about blindly approving every development. It is about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n