YIMBY

American  

[yim-bee] / ˈyɪm bi /

abbreviation

1. yes, in my backyard: used to express support by local citizens to the locating in their neighborhood of civic projects, such as the construction of new multiunit housing, the development of public transportation, or the rezoning of urban areas for mixed use, which other residents may view as detrimental to the neighborhood.

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Etymology

Origin of YIMBY

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

“The joke is that…Los Angeles does have an affordable-housing strategy: It’s called Phoenix,” said Matthew Lewis, a spokesman for California YIMBY, referring to a recent outflow of Californians to cities with lower housing costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

“The voters of that era were a different cohort of voters,” said Matt Lewis, a spokesperson for the pro-housing group California YIMBY.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2023

Matt Lewis, spokesperson for housing advocacy group California YIMBY, said it’s important for the realtors’ association to be clear about what steps it will take to address the lingering effects of discriminatory policies it supported.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2022

Matthew Lewis, who works for the pro-housing advocacy organization California YIMBY, which stands for “Yes in My Backyard,” said that S.B.

From Washington Post • Oct. 7, 2021

YIMBY, Hawthorne contends, doesn’t accurately describe the situation on the ground.

From Slate • May 17, 2021