(This is adapted from my first post at Rethink Bishop.  You should follow that blog, too.  It has smarter people than me.)

“We could use zoning laws to force the state’s hand.  You know, you can’t have more than three unrelated adults in one house.  These transitional homes have at least eight men in them!”

“That’s a good idea.  How did they even get into our neighborhood in the first   place?  Did they use some rental loophole?”

“I don’t know.  Let’s talk to the city commission about this – I bet we can use zoning to get them out.”

So went the conversation at my first meeting of the local neighborhood association.  The topic was:  How can we (wealthy homeowners) get rid of them (residents who are recovering from addiction or homelessness in a transitional housing program).  Or, as community activist Bill Barnes puts it, NIMBYism: “Not In My Back Yard.” Continue reading →