Why was YIMBY Hobart set up?
1 / Housing abundance
More housing of all types where people want to live.
2 / A city for people at all ages and stages, of all means and abilities
Our city and suburbs should reflect the diversity of the community as a whole.
3 / Better access for everyone
Being an active participant in our city should not rely on owning a car.
FAQ
What does YIMBY mean?
YIMBY stands for YES In My Backyard. YIMBYs advocate for more housing where people want to live. Our current housing market, regardless of whether you are renting or buying, is built on scarcity. We want housing abundance, giving people choice about how and where they live, lowering prices and increasing the bargaining power of renters and buyers.
Why is YIMBY Hobart advocating for more housing development?
Rents in Hobart have risen over 60% since 2016. House prices have increased by a similar amount. Unaffordable housing has led to a rapid increase in homelessness, is driving young people off the island, and is stopping people from interstate and overseas from moving here. Although price rises have slowed in the last year, nationwide trends suggest this respite could be short-lived. Building more homes now is how we stop future rapid increases in the cost of housing.
Why does YIMBY Hobart support UTas’ move into the city?
Moving the university from Sandy Bay into the CBD will free up land for over 2,000 high-quality, well located homes with a mix of housing and tenure types. This development will take pressure off booming growth suburbs and reduce spending on new services and infrastructure. Moving the university will also make it easier for people from Hobart’s northern and eastern suburbs to get to school via public and active transport, reducing congestion and improving accessibility for people who don’t own a car.
Are YIMBYs pro all development?
No. YIMBY Hobart wants to see more medium-density and infill housing built close to transport and amenities. We also want to see greater and faster investment in public and active transport, and improved accessibility for amenities such as education, healthcare and community facilities. YIMBY Hobart does not, and will not, advocate for commercial developments which do not align with our goals
What about heritage protections?
Hobart’s built environment is unique in Australia and around the world. YIMBY Hobart does not support inappropriate development which erodes these values. That said, cities are not museums and must be able to grow and change to meet the needs of people in the here-and-now. There is plenty of available land in the inner suburbs and along existing transit corridors to build all the housing we need for years to come.
Why are you advocating for infill? Isn’t there plenty of land available for subdivision?
Building housing on the urban fringe creates a range of economic, social and environmental problems. Forcing people into long commutes robs them of their time and money, while contributing to rising transport emissions. Greenfield development also imposes significant costs on the wider community, who have to fund new infrastructure and services in growth areas. Existing suburbs already have schools, shops, bus-routes, footpaths and water, sewerage and electrical services in place - making the most of these assets reduces the economic impacts of growth. Last, but not least, Hobart is lucky to be surrounded by biodiverse animal and plant habitat. Limiting greenfield development protects this habitat and its occupants.
What about traffic?
Medium density and infill development reduce overall traffic in a city. People need to get to work, school, church, family, football practice or book club no matter where they live. By building housing close to services and existing public and active transport we can make it easier for people to leave their cars at home. Pushing housing development to the urban fringe simply displaces traffic onto other communities while limiting the ability for people to choose alternative transport options.
Do you have any relationship with property developers?
No. YIMBYs advocate for housing development, not housing developers.
Do you have any political affiliations?
No. Our members come from across the political spectrum. We have come together to advocate for housing abundance because we believe a wealthy country like Australia should be able to provide affordable, fit-for-purpose housing for everyone. The arguments for building more housing where people want to live are economic, environmental and social - take your pick.
What does housing abundance mean for house prices?
Housing in Australia is too expensive. Increasing supply limits price growth. YIMBYs are unapologetic about wanting to see an end to house and rent prices increasing faster than incomes.
Are there YIMBYs in other cities?
Yes. YIMBYism is an international movement which emerged as a response to the unsustainable and unaffordable way cities all over the world have developed in recent decades. You can check out what the other Australian YIMBYs are up to at the Abundant Housing Network Australia website.
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