NIMBY TO YIMBY

As those who use Facebook and Twitter know by now I attended a forum put on in Ottawa by the Alliance to End Homelessness.

In my view by far the most interesting part of the forum was a report on a Toronto group's success in converting its neighbourhood from a 'Not In My Back Yard' to 'Yes, in My Back Yard'.

The secret appears to be continuous dialogue with the neighbourhood.. both in door to door format by the individuals themselves. Neighbours get to know the new folks who will be their neighbours and lessen their fears of these new neighbours.

I also saw a report on a CMHC study on the same subject. It refers to communication as indicated above plus effective use of the media; development of relationships with local politicians, and development of a clear plan, an understanding of the community process, and persistence.

The only thing missing as I see it is how to deal with those centres of our community which are 'opinion leaders' in terms of stereotyping folks in affordable housing projects and homeless shelters. In many communitites these centres are 'radio talk show hosts'. Of coures using the strategies mentioned earlier may overcome the negativity of these types of naysayers.