Mission
Change happens from the bottom up, when
ordinary citizens stand up and take action.
We’ve built a coalition of communities and
individuals who all share the common mission
to promote thoughtful development practices
that respect a town’s character, preserve the
environment, and consider size and
affordability.
Mission
Change happens from the bottom up, when
ordinary citizens stand up and take action.
We’ve built a coalition of communities and
individuals who all share the common mission
to promote thoughtful development practices
that respect a town’s character, preserve the
environment, and consider size and
affordability.
4 Steps
4 Steps
4 Simple Steps to Create Social Change
1
TALK WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS—not just the people who agree with you, and not just people you know. Tell them the issue and how you would address it. Carefully listen to their responses.
2
GATHER A GROUP OF PEOPLE who will work to create the proposed changes. Change comes from citizens like you. It will be helpful if your group includes a lawyer, gregarious types, and a person who can produce statistical research. State your case from several angles—some people respond to numbers, others prefer emotional arguments, etc.
3
MEET WITH LOCAL LEADERS and attend the necessary meetings. Bring as many people as you can. Ask lots of questions, make your stance known, and understand other perspectives. Why do others think your issue needs (or doesn’t need) addressing? Ask your town to create a subcommittee to address the issue.
4
GET OUT THE VOTE. Once you’ve determined how and where the issue will be discussed, debated, and ultimately voted on, make sure you get people to show up. This takes work on your part, and there really is strength in numbers.
News Feed
News Feed
Follow the movement to limit house size.
A town becomes a desired place to live or vacation. Old houses are sold to people with more disposable income and often dramatically different tastes and needs. Property values increase, making it hard for locals to afford to buy. Often driven by real estate speculation, older homes are replaced by new larger homes. The look and feel of the town changes, as does the sense of community. Read these stories; your town might be next.
RESOURCES
CHILMARK: WHERE
ONE BIG HOME BEGAN ⯈
KEY TOWNS ⯈
FURTHER READING ⯈
THE LATEST UPDATES
March 24, 2021 | Jackson Hole, WY
Changing East Jackson: Council grapples with character, zoning
February 24, 2021 | Southold, NY
Civic groups ask town board to take action on large houses
February 14, 2021 | Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles overrun by McMansions
February 1, 2021 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Torontonians sick and tired of 'McMansions' look to protect historic cottages from redevelopment
February 1, 2021 | San Francisco, CA
SF supervisor wants to limit 'McMansions,' allow fourplexes where single family homes roam
January 30, 2021 | San Francisco, CA
S.F. supervisor’s creative proposal: Make it hard to build McMansions, easier to build small apartments
January 29, 2021 | Honolulu, HI
City council unanimously passes 'monster home' permit measure
January 26, 2021 | Bronxville, NY
Bronxville talks zoning code changes: Mayor
January 24, 2021 | Honolulu, HI
In Kaimuki, residents worry monster homes are taking over the community
December 10, 2020 | West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
This is West Vancouver's plan to prevent new out-of-place monster homes
November 27, 2020 | Dewey Beach, DE
Dewey commissioners table decision on zoning changes
November 18, 2020 | Scarsdale, NY
‘McMansion’ rules will go to planning board
November 15, 2020 | Aspen, CO
Buildout projection, recent trends drive Pitkin County’s downzoning push
November 11, 2020 | Scarsdale, NY
BOT refers recommendations to reduce home bulk to the planning board
September 23, 2020 | Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Newmarket's new rules for building, renovation won't ban 'individuality, unique design'
September 21, 2020 | Milton, Ontario, Canada
'A tragedy': Milton residents say neighbourhoods are being negatively impacted by 'monster homes' and they're calling for action
August 10, 2020 | Milton, Ontario, Canada
Frustration mounts over Milton monster homes in old neighbourhoods
June 20, 2020 | Honolulu, HI
Honolulu City Council takes aim at new regulations against monster homes
April 16, 2020 | Bethesda, MD
In Bethesda, a small enclave holds back the McMansions
March 17, 2020 | Los Angeles, CA
LA cracked down on McMansions. Developers are still building them
READ MORE ⯈
Map
Map
Watch Now: Thomas Bena, director of ONE BIG HOME, on fighting FOR, instead of against.
Key Towns
Key Towns
Key towns: An in-depth look at some of the communities leading the movement to limit house size.
Please note this information was last updated in January 2019. For some of the latest developments, visit our newsfeed.
