Say No to NIMBY: Mastering Housing Planning Pushback

Monday, March 31, 2025

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM CT

Location: Mile High Ballroom 3

CM: .75

Division Endorsement: Private Practice Division, Housing and Community Development Division

Moderator and Speaker(s)

Lauren Lowery

Director of Housing and Community Development
National League of Cities

Speaker(s)

Jennifer M. Raitt (she/her/hers)

Executive Director
Northern Middlesex COG
Brookline, MA
Mayor Corey Woods

Mayor
City of Tempe, AZ
Council President Shannon Hardin

Council President
City of Columbus, OH

Overcoming neighborhood opposition is often the biggest obstacle to implementing housing plans, zoning reforms, and increasing the supply of attainable housing. New communication, engagement, and political approaches are critical to tackling the housing crisis. The challenge is made more acute by changes in the landscape of local coalitions and increased pressure for change. The partnership of local elected officials and planners is vital to the success of housing plans and zoning reforms. Leaders and planners from will discuss how they collaborate to navigate NIMBYism while still engaging stakeholders and leading change. Find out how places such as Columbus, Ohio, College Park, Georgia, and regions across Massachusetts are designing new strategies to build support for new housing options and how new partnerships can support local planning and land use reforms.

Wordly AI Closed Caption Link

Learning Objectives:

Improve the relationship between planners and local elected officials in messaging, public engagement, and stakeholder outreach
Use new advocacy partners and coalitions in supporting plan development and implementation
Design more effective strategies and tactics for overcoming neighborhood opposition to housing