Alex Armlovich
@aarmlovi.bsky.social
Sr. Housing Analyst @niskanencenter🏗️ | Urban Econ 🌐🔰🚋 | @worksinprogress contributor | @opennyforall member | @yimbytown alum | former @cbcny |
Legalize housing. Tax land. End poverty with cash
Legalize housing. Tax land. End poverty with cash
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
One way to reduce condo defect liability: stop forcing architects to design buildings that leak. HCD’s “objective design standards” guide *encourages* making building envelopes more complex, heightening leak and therefore defect lawsuit risk cao-94612.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/documents/Ap...
November 7, 2025 at 2:42 AM
One way to reduce condo defect liability: stop forcing architects to design buildings that leak. HCD’s “objective design standards” guide *encourages* making building envelopes more complex, heightening leak and therefore defect lawsuit risk cao-94612.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/documents/Ap...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
The marquee Mamdani policy, 4 years of 'freeze the rent', will take a lot to pull off. Here, @aarmlovi.bsky.social lays out the playbook of what it will take to get his vote (he serves on the Rent Guidelines Board that will vote on Mamdani's agenda)
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
November 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The marquee Mamdani policy, 4 years of 'freeze the rent', will take a lot to pull off. Here, @aarmlovi.bsky.social lays out the playbook of what it will take to get his vote (he serves on the Rent Guidelines Board that will vote on Mamdani's agenda)
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
This is a must-read from @aarmlovi.bsky.social. A real path for substantial expansion of housing and transit in the city that can deliver on the promises of @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
Vital City | A Housing Roadmap for New York’s Next Mayor
How Mayor-elect Mamdani can rise to the central challenge facing the city
www.vitalcitynyc.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This is a must-read from @aarmlovi.bsky.social. A real path for substantial expansion of housing and transit in the city that can deliver on the promises of @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
Calling all NYC lovers and nerds: REALLY interesting conversation about housing. Even I — who has been following NYC housing since I wrote papers in college about it 40 years ago — learned a lot. Interesting ideas. LISTEN!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Alex Armlovich on the Rent Guidelines Board, Mamdani's Rent Freeze Pledge, & Housing Policy
Podcast Episode · Max Politics · 10/28/2025 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Calling all NYC lovers and nerds: REALLY interesting conversation about housing. Even I — who has been following NYC housing since I wrote papers in college about it 40 years ago — learned a lot. Interesting ideas. LISTEN!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Want to learn more about the housing megabill the Senate just passed?
New Statecraft podcast with @willpoffwebster.bsky.social and @brianpotter.bsky.social on key highlights 👇
We recorded before it passed, so you can enjoy vetting our forecasts here
open.substack.com/pub/statecra...
New Statecraft podcast with @willpoffwebster.bsky.social and @brianpotter.bsky.social on key highlights 👇
We recorded before it passed, so you can enjoy vetting our forecasts here
open.substack.com/pub/statecra...
Is the Senate Fixing Housing Policy?
"You can’t solve the problem by subsidizing demand and constraining supply"
open.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Want to learn more about the housing megabill the Senate just passed?
New Statecraft podcast with @willpoffwebster.bsky.social and @brianpotter.bsky.social on key highlights 👇
We recorded before it passed, so you can enjoy vetting our forecasts here
open.substack.com/pub/statecra...
New Statecraft podcast with @willpoffwebster.bsky.social and @brianpotter.bsky.social on key highlights 👇
We recorded before it passed, so you can enjoy vetting our forecasts here
open.substack.com/pub/statecra...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
🚨🚨The Senate has passed the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act as part of the NDAA!
This is a historic level of bipartisan cooperation to expand Americans' access to housing.
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, @awjustus.bsky.social, and @rohanaras.bsky.social unpack what's in the 310-page bill. ⬇️
This is a historic level of bipartisan cooperation to expand Americans' access to housing.
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, @awjustus.bsky.social, and @rohanaras.bsky.social unpack what's in the 310-page bill. ⬇️
October 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
🚨🚨The Senate has passed the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act as part of the NDAA!
This is a historic level of bipartisan cooperation to expand Americans' access to housing.
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, @awjustus.bsky.social, and @rohanaras.bsky.social unpack what's in the 310-page bill. ⬇️
This is a historic level of bipartisan cooperation to expand Americans' access to housing.
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, @awjustus.bsky.social, and @rohanaras.bsky.social unpack what's in the 310-page bill. ⬇️
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
The deadline to sign SB 79 and legalize more housing near transit in California is coming up. This is a hugely important bill both for ending the state's housing crisis and for securing its climate future. Please join me in urging @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to sign!
September 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The deadline to sign SB 79 and legalize more housing near transit in California is coming up. This is a hugely important bill both for ending the state's housing crisis and for securing its climate future. Please join me in urging @gavinnewsom.bsky.social to sign!
NY is wisely leveraging factory-built manufactured housing for community development & affordable housing upstate
They're locking in deed-restricted affordable housing on vacant public Land Bank sites for the future—2 or 3 steps ahead of market-led redevelopment—for just $100k/unit of subsidy
They're locking in deed-restricted affordable housing on vacant public Land Bank sites for the future—2 or 3 steps ahead of market-led redevelopment—for just $100k/unit of subsidy
This is genuinely a good idea from the Governor's office. One thing I'm genuinely curious is, could you do this type of home as small-lot single family - i.e., townhouses for the suburbs?
attn @stephenjacobsmith.com and @aarmlovi.bsky.social
attn @stephenjacobsmith.com and @aarmlovi.bsky.social
With New Plan, Hochul Fast-Tracks Housing Supply
www.nytimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
NY is wisely leveraging factory-built manufactured housing for community development & affordable housing upstate
They're locking in deed-restricted affordable housing on vacant public Land Bank sites for the future—2 or 3 steps ahead of market-led redevelopment—for just $100k/unit of subsidy
They're locking in deed-restricted affordable housing on vacant public Land Bank sites for the future—2 or 3 steps ahead of market-led redevelopment—for just $100k/unit of subsidy
Bright spots in US transit:
After opening its 3rd basic Bus Rapid Transit route for just $10M/mile, Albany didn't just exceed pre-pandemic ridership
They just set an all-time CDTA ridership record. Never been a better time for transit in Albany than now
BRT is the future
After opening its 3rd basic Bus Rapid Transit route for just $10M/mile, Albany didn't just exceed pre-pandemic ridership
They just set an all-time CDTA ridership record. Never been a better time for transit in Albany than now
BRT is the future
September 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Bright spots in US transit:
After opening its 3rd basic Bus Rapid Transit route for just $10M/mile, Albany didn't just exceed pre-pandemic ridership
They just set an all-time CDTA ridership record. Never been a better time for transit in Albany than now
BRT is the future
After opening its 3rd basic Bus Rapid Transit route for just $10M/mile, Albany didn't just exceed pre-pandemic ridership
They just set an all-time CDTA ridership record. Never been a better time for transit in Albany than now
BRT is the future
Everyone take a moment to gloat over the FinTwit folks who claimed labor & supply chains make quantum leaps in multifamily housing production impossible
"What about teh lumber", they said. "What about teh labor", they said
Then NYC simply exploded to completion levels unseen since 1965
"What about teh lumber", they said. "What about teh labor", they said
Then NYC simply exploded to completion levels unseen since 1965
September 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Everyone take a moment to gloat over the FinTwit folks who claimed labor & supply chains make quantum leaps in multifamily housing production impossible
"What about teh lumber", they said. "What about teh labor", they said
Then NYC simply exploded to completion levels unseen since 1965
"What about teh lumber", they said. "What about teh labor", they said
Then NYC simply exploded to completion levels unseen since 1965
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
Photos from a lively @yimbytown.bsky.social discussion on how data-driven research can shape effective policy with (L-R): @andersem.bsky.social, @david-garcia.upforgrowth.org, Arthur Gailes, @skarlinsky.bsky.social, @aarmlovi.bsky.social & @muhammadspeaks.bsky.social.
September 16, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Photos from a lively @yimbytown.bsky.social discussion on how data-driven research can shape effective policy with (L-R): @andersem.bsky.social, @david-garcia.upforgrowth.org, Arthur Gailes, @skarlinsky.bsky.social, @aarmlovi.bsky.social & @muhammadspeaks.bsky.social.
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
🏙️ Niskanen staff represented at YIMBYTOWN!
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, Andrew Justus, Kaj Gumbs, and Rohan Aras presented on a "Federal Policy Roundup" panel (alongside minority staffer Madeleine Marr of Senate Banking and David Garcia of Up For Growth).
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, Andrew Justus, Kaj Gumbs, and Rohan Aras presented on a "Federal Policy Roundup" panel (alongside minority staffer Madeleine Marr of Senate Banking and David Garcia of Up For Growth).
September 24, 2025 at 8:18 PM
🏙️ Niskanen staff represented at YIMBYTOWN!
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, Andrew Justus, Kaj Gumbs, and Rohan Aras presented on a "Federal Policy Roundup" panel (alongside minority staffer Madeleine Marr of Senate Banking and David Garcia of Up For Growth).
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, Andrew Justus, Kaj Gumbs, and Rohan Aras presented on a "Federal Policy Roundup" panel (alongside minority staffer Madeleine Marr of Senate Banking and David Garcia of Up For Growth).
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
thx @aarmlovi.bsky.social for the link to this Charter Commission report (from this year)
it looks like NYC gaining aldermanic prerogative severely repressed the addition of more homes
www.nyc.gov/assets/chart...
it looks like NYC gaining aldermanic prerogative severely repressed the addition of more homes
www.nyc.gov/assets/chart...
![An analysis by the Citizens Housing &
Planning Council (CHPC) suggests that
the 1989 revisions led to an immediate
drop in the number of rezonings
approved in the immediate aftermath of
Charter changes:
In fact, the CHPC analysis found that “[d]espite an increasing
share of housing-related ULURP applications, the volume of
rezoning applications completed per year has never recovered to
pre-1989 levels: so far this decade, rezonings are being approved
at 61% of the pace during the 1980s, and the recent peak of the
2000s was still just 80% of the pre-1989 rate.”55 These findings
suggest that, all else equal, the 1989 reforms made zoning for
more housing harder than it used to be.
At the same time, the newly empowered City Council did not
immediately develop the practice of “member deference” as it
functions today. Instead, through the 1990s, land use decision-
making was firmly controlled by then-Speaker of the City
Council Peter Vallone, who supported multiple rezonings over
the wishes of local councilmembers.56 As the New York Times
put it: “There are many more participants than before [in the
land use process]. Yet the Council is much more firmly under
the control of one person,” [Council Speaker Vallone].
Around the turn of the millennium, the practice began to
change, with members overruled fewer and fewer times. Some
practitioners attribute this change to the introduction of
Council term limits, to City Council rules reforms that may have
weakened the Speaker’s ability to influence individual members,
and to a change in general political attitudes toward new housing,
as development pressures accelerated in the 2000s.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:s3dlzbkosetuepegdgtf3ez2/bafkreifblhwllku532ommmgburvew77s6okaid5tkwivnlp2jmc6bxlcqa@jpeg)
September 9, 2025 at 3:52 AM
thx @aarmlovi.bsky.social for the link to this Charter Commission report (from this year)
it looks like NYC gaining aldermanic prerogative severely repressed the addition of more homes
www.nyc.gov/assets/chart...
it looks like NYC gaining aldermanic prerogative severely repressed the addition of more homes
www.nyc.gov/assets/chart...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
This from @aarmlovi.bsky.social is the best path forward with AVs. It's also @johnericson.me thought iirc.
Labor, congestion, vehicle utilization, and safety are all constraints on mobility (and hence growth). Let's use automation to tackle all and enhance our transit systems.
Labor, congestion, vehicle utilization, and safety are all constraints on mobility (and hence growth). Let's use automation to tackle all and enhance our transit systems.
August 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This from @aarmlovi.bsky.social is the best path forward with AVs. It's also @johnericson.me thought iirc.
Labor, congestion, vehicle utilization, and safety are all constraints on mobility (and hence growth). Let's use automation to tackle all and enhance our transit systems.
Labor, congestion, vehicle utilization, and safety are all constraints on mobility (and hence growth). Let's use automation to tackle all and enhance our transit systems.
We have a big opportunity with Mr. Molinaro to refresh CIG
I'm increasingly convinced the STOPS ridership model should be upgraded to capture most of the extra scoring variables people care about
Ridership is the ultimate principal component of walkability, land use, mode integration, etc etc
I'm increasingly convinced the STOPS ridership model should be upgraded to capture most of the extra scoring variables people care about
Ridership is the ultimate principal component of walkability, land use, mode integration, etc etc
And re "the federal government is hostile," this is what Molinaro said in 2018. Notably, he was for Fast Forward. If anything, he's going to be more hostile to bus lanes than to subways on driver convenience grounds. www.amny.com/nyc-transit/...
Save the MTA by eliminating ‘waste, fraud and abuse,’ Molinaro says | amNewYork
GOP gubernatorial candidate says cost reforms must come before new revenue initiatives.
www.amny.com
August 29, 2025 at 8:47 PM
We have a big opportunity with Mr. Molinaro to refresh CIG
I'm increasingly convinced the STOPS ridership model should be upgraded to capture most of the extra scoring variables people care about
Ridership is the ultimate principal component of walkability, land use, mode integration, etc etc
I'm increasingly convinced the STOPS ridership model should be upgraded to capture most of the extra scoring variables people care about
Ridership is the ultimate principal component of walkability, land use, mode integration, etc etc
It turns out the tilting feature on the new Acelas hasn't passed safety testing yet, so they have to take curves *slower* than the legacy fleet with authorized tilting
That's the other reason they're running so slow at first 😔
It'll get better eventually. But still a bummer
That's the other reason they're running so slow at first 😔
It'll get better eventually. But still a bummer
August 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
It turns out the tilting feature on the new Acelas hasn't passed safety testing yet, so they have to take curves *slower* than the legacy fleet with authorized tilting
That's the other reason they're running so slow at first 😔
It'll get better eventually. But still a bummer
That's the other reason they're running so slow at first 😔
It'll get better eventually. But still a bummer
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
Train YIMBYism means the price decline will be in the regionals the capacity increase is actually much larger than 23% as they end up running far more service than right now. Remember regional ridership is up substantially from 2019, Acela ridership is flat due to capacity.
August 28, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Train YIMBYism means the price decline will be in the regionals the capacity increase is actually much larger than 23% as they end up running far more service than right now. Remember regional ridership is up substantially from 2019, Acela ridership is flat due to capacity.
Today's Acela launch will drive Amtrak NEC profitability, even as the 27% capacity boost cuts dynamically priced fares
At first it seems they'll use the faster trains to "pad" existing schedules, boosting on-time performance
After observation they should be speeding up the official schedules!
At first it seems they'll use the faster trains to "pad" existing schedules, boosting on-time performance
After observation they should be speeding up the official schedules!
August 28, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Today's Acela launch will drive Amtrak NEC profitability, even as the 27% capacity boost cuts dynamically priced fares
At first it seems they'll use the faster trains to "pad" existing schedules, boosting on-time performance
After observation they should be speeding up the official schedules!
At first it seems they'll use the faster trains to "pad" existing schedules, boosting on-time performance
After observation they should be speeding up the official schedules!
New: Niskanen Housing's writeup of the Senate Banking megabill 👇
Chair Scott & Ranking Member Warren assembled the biggest bipartisan federal housing package in living memory, with proposals from the whole committee—a real first step to buttress growing state & local action on the housing crisis
Chair Scott & Ranking Member Warren assembled the biggest bipartisan federal housing package in living memory, with proposals from the whole committee—a real first step to buttress growing state & local action on the housing crisis
The Senate Banking Committee has advanced the ROAD to Housing Act—a rare, unanimous, bipartisan package tackling America’s housing shortage. 🏘️
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, @awjustus.bsky.social, and @rohanaras.bsky.social break down what’s in this 310-page bill
⬇️
@aarmlovi.bsky.social, @awjustus.bsky.social, and @rohanaras.bsky.social break down what’s in this 310-page bill
⬇️
August 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
New: Niskanen Housing's writeup of the Senate Banking megabill 👇
Chair Scott & Ranking Member Warren assembled the biggest bipartisan federal housing package in living memory, with proposals from the whole committee—a real first step to buttress growing state & local action on the housing crisis
Chair Scott & Ranking Member Warren assembled the biggest bipartisan federal housing package in living memory, with proposals from the whole committee—a real first step to buttress growing state & local action on the housing crisis
Thanks again to the whole Chicago crew. Great to meet you all and look forward to helping next session!
Coming to Chicago today through early Wednesday morning 🌭🍕
If any Chicago housing or transit accounts want to meet I'll be around!
@stevevance.net @danielkayhertz.bsky.social @mclean.bsky.social @danielcomeaux.bsky.social
If any Chicago housing or transit accounts want to meet I'll be around!
@stevevance.net @danielkayhertz.bsky.social @mclean.bsky.social @danielcomeaux.bsky.social
August 27, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Thanks again to the whole Chicago crew. Great to meet you all and look forward to helping next session!
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
Meetup tonight at Off Color Brewing, 1460 N Kingsbury St
5 pm
5 pm
August 26, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Meetup tonight at Off Color Brewing, 1460 N Kingsbury St
5 pm
5 pm
Coming to Chicago today through early Wednesday morning 🌭🍕
If any Chicago housing or transit accounts want to meet I'll be around!
@stevevance.net @danielkayhertz.bsky.social @mclean.bsky.social @danielcomeaux.bsky.social
If any Chicago housing or transit accounts want to meet I'll be around!
@stevevance.net @danielkayhertz.bsky.social @mclean.bsky.social @danielcomeaux.bsky.social
August 23, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Coming to Chicago today through early Wednesday morning 🌭🍕
If any Chicago housing or transit accounts want to meet I'll be around!
@stevevance.net @danielkayhertz.bsky.social @mclean.bsky.social @danielcomeaux.bsky.social
If any Chicago housing or transit accounts want to meet I'll be around!
@stevevance.net @danielkayhertz.bsky.social @mclean.bsky.social @danielcomeaux.bsky.social
It's not clear why Mayor Bass tweeted out this self-portrait of what she thinks about LA Metro—the riders, the pandemic ridership recovery, & Metro's farebox revenue
If I were the mayor of Los Angeles I would simply not declare war on my brand new metro system!
If I were the mayor of Los Angeles I would simply not declare war on my brand new metro system!
August 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
It's not clear why Mayor Bass tweeted out this self-portrait of what she thinks about LA Metro—the riders, the pandemic ridership recovery, & Metro's farebox revenue
If I were the mayor of Los Angeles I would simply not declare war on my brand new metro system!
If I were the mayor of Los Angeles I would simply not declare war on my brand new metro system!
Flexing the easy-to-flex federal highway pots like CMAQ & STP is an apolitical, technical process
Believe it or not, it's true of SEPTA's 2026 budget as well!
SEPTA gets $40M of CMAQ flex highway cash this year even with all the cuts. And nobody is mad or thinks it's political
Believe it or not, it's true of SEPTA's 2026 budget as well!
SEPTA gets $40M of CMAQ flex highway cash this year even with all the cuts. And nobody is mad or thinks it's political
August 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Flexing the easy-to-flex federal highway pots like CMAQ & STP is an apolitical, technical process
Believe it or not, it's true of SEPTA's 2026 budget as well!
SEPTA gets $40M of CMAQ flex highway cash this year even with all the cuts. And nobody is mad or thinks it's political
Believe it or not, it's true of SEPTA's 2026 budget as well!
SEPTA gets $40M of CMAQ flex highway cash this year even with all the cuts. And nobody is mad or thinks it's political
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
A can't-miss conversation between @aarmlovi.bsky.social and Cardiff Garcia on the ROAD to Housing Act, and much more! eig.org/newbazaar/is...
Is the US about to fix its housing problem?
A shockingly good, “miraculously bipartisan” new bill The ROAD (Renewing […]
eig.org
August 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
A can't-miss conversation between @aarmlovi.bsky.social and Cardiff Garcia on the ROAD to Housing Act, and much more! eig.org/newbazaar/is...