Who's behind those 'SHIMBY' posters across San Francisco?

"San Francisco's upzoning plan has passed. On Jan. 12, 2026, the day it goes into effect, developers will be able to build taller, denser buildings on thousands of sites in the western and northern parts of the city. As the debate over how and where to upzone raged in City Hall, flyers taped to utility poles across the city signaled the launch of a much more DIY campaign to reignite a plan that took shape - and fell through - over five years ago."

""Mayor Lurie has the chance to fund social housing," the simple, black-on-white flyers read. The posters refer to Proposition I, a ballot measure that passed in 2020 with 57 percent of the vote. Prop. I doubled the real estate transfer tax rate on buildings valued at $10 million or more. Proponents expected the new city revenue to be earmarked for new housing projects."

"But the city's mayors, who hold most of the power over the city's budget, have so far declined to do so. Instead, it goes to the general fund. Enter Honest Charley Bodkin and Dylan Hirsch-Shell, the duo behind the SHIMBYs, or "Social Housing in My Back Yard." An offshoot of the YIMBY movement, they think that, with enough public pressure, Lurie could be persuaded to change tack and start funding social housing in San Francisco."

San Francisco's upzoning plan takes effect Jan. 12, 2026, allowing developers to build taller, denser buildings on thousands of sites in the western and northern city. Flyers on utility poles launched a grassroots campaign calling on Mayor Lurie to dedicate Prop. I revenue to social housing. Proposition I doubled the real estate transfer tax on properties valued at $10 million or more and passed with 57 percent of the vote. City leaders have instead directed the money to the general fund. The SHIMBYs, led by Honest Charley Bodkin and Dylan Hirsch-Shell, are petitioning for a fund for municipally- or nonprofit-owned, permanently affordable housing serving a wider income mix. The petition has collected about 650 signatures so far.

Read at Mission Local