San Francisco-based housing density advocate Sonja Trauss is leading the charge on building more housing options, from tall towers to condos to rentals and subsidized housing in an expensive city that has difficulty accepting change.

Can her brand of YIMBYism (Yes In My Back Yard) work in Metro Vancouver to address our own affordable housing crisis?

UDI is honored to host a provocative conversation with Sonja Trauss, Founder of San Francisco Bay Area Renters' Federation (SFBARF). See her NY Times profile.

She has successfully grown her support base by engaging communities, governments, academics and youths in her quest to successfully increase housing supply despite many obstacles.

This is your opportunity to hear from Sonja:
Successes and lessons learned in forming SFBARF
How to collaborate with various stakeholders (YIMBY, NIMBY, government, and private sector)
Policy and advocacy initiatives and execution
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BIO

Sonja Trauss started the San Francisco Bay Area Renters Federation (SFBARF) in 2014 out of a desire to bring together the supporters of dense, tall, fast building planning. Trauss began by writing letters in support of every potential housing project that went before the San Francisco Planning Commission, and having a few friends sign them. This quickly turned into a community of intelligent, high-functioning citizens who are thrilled to support new homes, affordable living and dense development in their living regions.
Sonja will showcase how the power of positive activism can impact and influence the shape of a city into the future.