Portland: Neighbors Welcome was scheduled to co-host YIMBYtown 2020 in partnership with Cascadia’s sustainability think tank, Sightline Institute, on April 2-4, 2020. It was, of course, postponed. Please stay tuned for further updates.

YIMBYtown is the national convening of the pro-housing “yes in my backyard” movement. A three-day gathering for community organizers, political leaders, educators, housing providers, and everyday people, YIMBYtown offers inspiration, tools, and a network for those working to advance abundant, affordable housing and sustainable development in cities across the United States, Canada, and beyond! 

YIMBYtown is coming in the wake of some important victories: In 2019, Oregon became the first state to legalize middle housing statewide, and Seattle passed the nation’s best ADU policy. There has been more inspiring progress on housing in the Pacific Northwest and around the country, including Oregon’s passage of anti rent-gouging protections, and Minneapolis’ triumph making space for more neighbors by legalizing triplexes citywide.

At YIMBYtown 2020: Fair and Sustainable Cities, we aimed to spotlight and build on this year’s major wins, bringing successful housing campaign leaders to share policies, tactics, and lessons learned for local and statewide action. The 2020 elections also present a unique opportunity to influence the national housing policy agenda (we already are!): We will make sure that housing is a priority for ALL our elected leaders.

YIMBYtown 2020 aimed to connect local movements with emerging national housing policy platforms, explore how smart land use can help cut carbon emissions, and highlight strategies to stabilize communities while cities grow.