YIMBY: Yes in My Backyard

I advocate for more housing in high-amenity areas around Melbourne. My background working to improve educational equity has shown me that housing segregation is closely linked to school segregation and economic opportunity.

​

Urban planning and housing policies play a critical role in shaping educational opportunities. In Australia, restrictive zoning in affluent suburbs has limited affordable housing in those areas, effectively segregating low-income families into other localities. This residential segregation contributes to stark disparities in school demographics and quality, as wealthier areas enjoy high-performing schools while disadvantaged communities often have fewer resources. Research over the past 20 years confirms that where a child grows up – and thus which schools they can access – has powerful effects on their educational outcomes.