Together, we’ve fought hard to help pass major pro-housing policies that make it easier to build dense, vibrant communities. One of the most important victories was California's SB 9 — a law YIMBYs worked tirelessly to pass that allows homeowners add more homes on their lots and create thousands of new, more affordable homes statewide.

But this summer, that victory was suddenly put at risk.

After the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order allowing SB 9 to be suspended in certain fire-impacted areas. This opened the door for longtime opponents of housing reform to halt new homes in high-opportunity neighborhoods that had just lost them.

For many families, especially those who were under-insured, the ability to split a lot, add an ADU, or build a second home is what makes rebuilding possible at all.

When disaster strikes, rebuilding should be guided by fairness, safety, and opportunity, not exclusion. SB 9 was passed to do exactly that: give homeowners a practical way to add homes, support extended families, and create housing in communities that desperately need it. Suspending SB 9 doesn’t make recovery safer; it makes it harder, slower, and more unequal.

That’s why YIMBY Law took action. We are suing Governor Newsom to defend SB 9 and ensure that emergency powers aren’t misused to lock working families out of wealthy areas because of NIMBY sentiments. As we head into 2026, your year-end gift gives us the ability to act quickly, protect hard-won housing laws, and make sure rebuilding serves all residents. 

Will you make a year-end contribution today to help fuel our work? If you make a gift by December 31 at midnight, your donation will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000 by a generous YIMBY.