Proposed Solution to Housing Shortage: Paying NIMBYs to Approve Developments
A new approach to addressing America's housing shortage suggests offering financial incentives to residents who oppose new developments, commonly known as NIMBYs ('Not In My Backyard'). This proposal, supported by several Democratic-aligned think tanks, involves providing cash payments to residents if their community approves new housing projects. The idea is to counteract the opposition often faced from existing residents who fear changes to neighborhood character and property values. A study by political scientist Michael Hankinson and economists Edward Glaeser, Joseph Gyourko, and Morris Davis indicates that financial incentives could persuade residents to support new developments, with the required payment varying based on neighborhood density and wealth. 
