Alex Horowitz
@alexhrwtz.bsky.social
Mostly housing policy and a little consumer finance at Pew. Personal account.
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
Today I spoke at VOICE’s Homes for All Assembly about the urgency of our housing shortage. We must build homes for all incomes, ensure every level of government plays its part, and use our power to unlock housing and protect stability for everyone in Alexandria.
October 19, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Today I spoke at VOICE’s Homes for All Assembly about the urgency of our housing shortage. We must build homes for all incomes, ensure every level of government plays its part, and use our power to unlock housing and protect stability for everyone in Alexandria.
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
I can't stop thinking about this. We're pursuing zero fire risk in multifam, while tolerating much more in single-fam. People respond by building and living in single-fam, where they're exposed to not only one of the highest fire death risks in the developed world, but also TONS more car crash risk
Love this new report on buildings' relative fire safety from @alexhrwtz.bsky.social and Pew colleagues.
www.pew.org/en/research-...
www.pew.org/en/research-...
October 8, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I can't stop thinking about this. We're pursuing zero fire risk in multifam, while tolerating much more in single-fam. People respond by building and living in single-fam, where they're exposed to not only one of the highest fire death risks in the developed world, but also TONS more car crash risk
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
Love this new report on buildings' relative fire safety from @alexhrwtz.bsky.social and Pew colleagues.
www.pew.org/en/research-...
www.pew.org/en/research-...
October 8, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Love this new report on buildings' relative fire safety from @alexhrwtz.bsky.social and Pew colleagues.
www.pew.org/en/research-...
www.pew.org/en/research-...
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
Pew finds something that everybody in codes and standards knows but few will say out loud: we apply far stricter fire safety standards to apartments than to houses. www.pew.org/en/research-...
October 1, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Pew finds something that everybody in codes and standards knows but few will say out loud: we apply far stricter fire safety standards to apartments than to houses. www.pew.org/en/research-...
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
In part 2 of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy, the UCLA Housing Voice Podcast speaks with @stephenjacobsmith.com about the high cost of elevators in North America, and the negative consequences for affordability and accessibility. www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/09/24/9...
Episode 98: Elevators with Stephen Smith (Incentives Series pt. 2)
Elevators in the U.S. and Canada cost 3–5x as much as in other high-income countries. Stephen Smith explains how our well-intentioned standards make cities less safe and accessible.
www.lewis.ucla.edu
September 24, 2025 at 7:07 PM
In part 2 of our series on misaligned incentives in housing policy, the UCLA Housing Voice Podcast speaks with @stephenjacobsmith.com about the high cost of elevators in North America, and the negative consequences for affordability and accessibility. www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/09/24/9...
Well said. And this research shows why reforms like Colorado's are crucial. Regional housing supply drives local rents 4x more than supply within a municipality, so statewide reforms are necessary--there's just no way to get to widespread affordability solely through local action.
A new @pewtrusts.org analysis shows restrictive zoning drives up rent and worsens hardships. The U.S. is short 4–7M homes. Breaking down barriers—like parking mandates and outdated zoning—can lower costs and help more Coloradans achieve homeownership.
www.pew.org/en/research-...
www.pew.org/en/research-...
August 19, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Well said. And this research shows why reforms like Colorado's are crucial. Regional housing supply drives local rents 4x more than supply within a municipality, so statewide reforms are necessary--there's just no way to get to widespread affordability solely through local action.
Turns out there's no tradeoff between housing abundance and affordability for low-income renters- the opposite in fact. Rents have risen 10 pts more during the shortage in low-income neighborhoods than high-incomes ones. www.pew.org/en/research-...
New Housing Slows Rent Growth Most for Older, More Affordable Units
The nationwide housing shortage has driven rents up more in low-income neighborhoods than in the U.S. overall, but in areas that have recently added large amounts of housing, rents have fallen the mos...
www.pew.org
July 31, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Turns out there's no tradeoff between housing abundance and affordability for low-income renters- the opposite in fact. Rents have risen 10 pts more during the shortage in low-income neighborhoods than high-incomes ones. www.pew.org/en/research-...
Texas has raised the bar, putting up probably the single most impactful legislative session for housing this year with 7 bipartisan bills. Pew's statement outlining them here: www.pew.org/en/about/new...
Pew Applauds Texas Lawmakers for Passage of Much-Needed Housing Legislation
WASHINGTON—The Pew Charitable Trusts today commended the Texas Legislature and Governor Greg Abbott (R) for enacting a suite of seven bills passed with bipartisan support and designed to improve housi...
www.pew.org
June 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Texas has raised the bar, putting up probably the single most impactful legislative session for housing this year with 7 bipartisan bills. Pew's statement outlining them here: www.pew.org/en/about/new...
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
THREAD: A Win for Housing in Texas!
SB 2835 — Single-Stairway Bill — is headed to the governor’s desk!
Working with Rep. @jamestalarico.bsky.social, we passed SB 2835 to clear out outdated codes and unlock more housing opportunities for small-scale, multi-family developments across Texas. (1/5)
SB 2835 — Single-Stairway Bill — is headed to the governor’s desk!
Working with Rep. @jamestalarico.bsky.social, we passed SB 2835 to clear out outdated codes and unlock more housing opportunities for small-scale, multi-family developments across Texas. (1/5)
May 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
THREAD: A Win for Housing in Texas!
SB 2835 — Single-Stairway Bill — is headed to the governor’s desk!
Working with Rep. @jamestalarico.bsky.social, we passed SB 2835 to clear out outdated codes and unlock more housing opportunities for small-scale, multi-family developments across Texas. (1/5)
SB 2835 — Single-Stairway Bill — is headed to the governor’s desk!
Working with Rep. @jamestalarico.bsky.social, we passed SB 2835 to clear out outdated codes and unlock more housing opportunities for small-scale, multi-family developments across Texas. (1/5)
Big win for Texans looking for housing. Single-stair reform #SB2835 is a major step forward for legalizing modern apartments that can fit on small lots and above stores.
AURA was proud to advocate for this bill every step of the way!
Special thanks to @jamestalarico.bsky.social & @nathanfortexas.bsky.social for all of their work on statewide single-stair!
Thanks also to Texas 2036 & @texansforhousing.bsky.social for their tireless work on this common sense reform!
Special thanks to @jamestalarico.bsky.social & @nathanfortexas.bsky.social for all of their work on statewide single-stair!
Thanks also to Texas 2036 & @texansforhousing.bsky.social for their tireless work on this common sense reform!
TEXAS PASSES 6-STORY SINGLE-STAIR BILL! 🤠
- Legalizes 6-stories, 4-units/floor, in TX state building code
- Cities that adopt standard amendments to state building code would by-default legalize 6-story single-stair apartments
- Paves way for streamlined adoption by cities
- Legalizes 6-stories, 4-units/floor, in TX state building code
- Cities that adopt standard amendments to state building code would by-default legalize 6-story single-stair apartments
- Paves way for streamlined adoption by cities
May 27, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Big win for Texans looking for housing. Single-stair reform #SB2835 is a major step forward for legalizing modern apartments that can fit on small lots and above stores.
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
Policy changes often take years to show results.
And then there is congestion pricing in New York.
Here are all of the ways we could find it having an immediate effect: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
And then there is congestion pricing in New York.
Here are all of the ways we could find it having an immediate effect: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Just About Everything That’s Changed Since Congestion Pricing Took Effect (Gift Article)
Fewer cars. Faster travel. Less honking. And some questions we still can’t answer.
www.nytimes.com
May 12, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Policy changes often take years to show results.
And then there is congestion pricing in New York.
Here are all of the ways we could find it having an immediate effect: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
And then there is congestion pricing in New York.
Here are all of the ways we could find it having an immediate effect: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
It's easy to lose sight of the big picture, but Rachel provides thorough context on the 2-stair mandate: "Since fires are more common in single-family homes than in new apartments, they say current rules may actually steer people toward less safe housing."
One of the buzziest ideas in housing reform lately is allowing apartment buildings with just one staircase, instead of two. Though a standard design around the world, American fire safety officials are strongly opposed
I wrote about the debate and research for @vox.com
www.vox.com/housing/4101...
I wrote about the debate and research for @vox.com
www.vox.com/housing/4101...
A fight about stairs could reshape American cities
Reformers say tweaking construction rules can unleash affordable housing.
www.vox.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
It's easy to lose sight of the big picture, but Rachel provides thorough context on the 2-stair mandate: "Since fires are more common in single-family homes than in new apartments, they say current rules may actually steer people toward less safe housing."
Good one. So many single-stair bills moving in state legislatures right now.
The posting-to-policy is moving fast with single-stair reform. @elikahn.bsky.social has a run down on the policy landscape: marketurbanism.com/2025/03/28/r...
April 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Good one. So many single-stair bills moving in state legislatures right now.
New Pew brief: Pennsylvania's housing shortage has pushed up costs. Highlights:
1) 60% drop in inventory helped push up prices 55%
2) PA ranks 44th of 50 states in housing permits granted
3) Counties that have issued few permits have seen rents soar
www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
1) 60% drop in inventory helped push up prices 55%
2) PA ranks 44th of 50 states in housing permits granted
3) Counties that have issued few permits have seen rents soar
www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
Pennsylvania's Lack of Building Has Contributed to Housing Shortage, Hurt Affordability
Housing costs rise when there are not enough homes to meet demand. Pennsylvania, in part because of restrictive zoning regulations, ranked 43rd among the 50 states on rate of housing built from 2017 t...
www.pewtrusts.org
March 12, 2025 at 3:48 PM
New Pew brief: Pennsylvania's housing shortage has pushed up costs. Highlights:
1) 60% drop in inventory helped push up prices 55%
2) PA ranks 44th of 50 states in housing permits granted
3) Counties that have issued few permits have seen rents soar
www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
1) 60% drop in inventory helped push up prices 55%
2) PA ranks 44th of 50 states in housing permits granted
3) Counties that have issued few permits have seen rents soar
www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
More single-stair momentum…
Los Angeles introduces single stair reform: laist.com/news/housing...
Fewer staircases in new LA buildings? Why experts say it could unlock more housing
A new Los Angeles City Council proposal aims to allow single-staircase buildings, a change advocates say would make room for more apartments, including bigger units for young families.
laist.com
March 7, 2025 at 1:08 AM
More single-stair momentum…
This is one of the most-discussed housing reforms in state legislatures right now, and here is empirical proof that it’s safe, definitively refuting the only argument being made against single-stair building code reform.
A few findings from this report that I coauthored:
- A stairway in a 4-story bldg costs about $200,000 (corridor not included)
- Zero deaths in 4+-story single-stair buildings in NYC or Seattle attributable to the lack of a second stair
- FDNY has mostly stopped reporting fire deaths to NFIRS
- A stairway in a 4-story bldg costs about $200,000 (corridor not included)
- Zero deaths in 4+-story single-stair buildings in NYC or Seattle attributable to the lack of a second stair
- FDNY has mostly stopped reporting fire deaths to NFIRS
the study on safety of single stair buildings by pew charitable trusts and the center for building in north america (@stephenjacobsmith.com) is now live
www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
February 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
This is one of the most-discussed housing reforms in state legislatures right now, and here is empirical proof that it’s safe, definitively refuting the only argument being made against single-stair building code reform.
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
A profile of my organization in Slate, by @henrygrabar.bsky.social: slate.com/business/202...
A New Way to Fix the Housing Crisis
One man’s quest to fix the way we build.
slate.com
February 28, 2025 at 3:00 PM
A profile of my organization in Slate, by @henrygrabar.bsky.social: slate.com/business/202...
Great illustration of how the debate over whether to allow enough homes for everyone is moving from the local level to the state level. And when it does, even traditionally exclusive towns like Lexington, MA sometimes re-think things and welcome new neighbors.
States—and even historic towns like Lexington, Massachusetts—are easing zoning to fight the housing crisis and build apartments and condos. Will local support for the Yimby crowd last?
America’s Most Exclusive Suburbs Are Finally Building More Housing
States—and even historic towns like Lexington, Massachusetts—are easing real estate zoning to fight the affordability crisis. Will local support for the Yimby crowd last?
www.bloomberg.com
February 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Great illustration of how the debate over whether to allow enough homes for everyone is moving from the local level to the state level. And when it does, even traditionally exclusive towns like Lexington, MA sometimes re-think things and welcome new neighbors.
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
New solar plants expected to support most U.S. electric generation growth www.eia.gov/todayinenerg...
January 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
New solar plants expected to support most U.S. electric generation growth www.eia.gov/todayinenerg...
Great morning at #MayorsDC25. Lots of pro-housing mayors there who have led the way: Single-stair in Knoxville, easing apartment construction near commerce in Columbus & Cincinnati, adaptive reuse in Denver, shrinking lot size in Austin, bonus ADUs and TOD in San Diego.
At the #MayorsDC25 with @alexhrwtz.bsky.social who is presenting on #housing and #landuse. More housing = less homelessness. “The housing shortage hurts everyone.
January 19, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Great morning at #MayorsDC25. Lots of pro-housing mayors there who have led the way: Single-stair in Knoxville, easing apartment construction near commerce in Columbus & Cincinnati, adaptive reuse in Denver, shrinking lot size in Austin, bonus ADUs and TOD in San Diego.
Love this new video on how the housing shortage drives up costs & homelessness from @justineunderhill.bsky.social. Video's a great format for explaining housing generally, but this one is a dazzler: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQW4...
Can luxury housing do anything for homelessness?
YouTube video by Justine Underhill
www.youtube.com
January 2, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Love this new video on how the housing shortage drives up costs & homelessness from @justineunderhill.bsky.social. Video's a great format for explaining housing generally, but this one is a dazzler: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQW4...
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
A new YIMBY Action report finds that of 232 state legislators who sponsored pro-housing bill and then ran for reelection, 95% of them won: yimbyaction.org/blog/pro-hou...
December 12, 2024 at 8:27 PM
A new YIMBY Action report finds that of 232 state legislators who sponsored pro-housing bill and then ran for reelection, 95% of them won: yimbyaction.org/blog/pro-hou...
Yes indeed! And homelessness fell relative to the rest of the state and displacement fell relative to other cities: www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
December 3, 2024 at 3:48 PM
Yes indeed! And homelessness fell relative to the rest of the state and displacement fell relative to other cities: www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
New Q&A with former mayor of New Rochelle, NY on zoning reforms that added thousands of apartments: www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
How More Housing Revitalized a Suburban Downtown
In growing metropolitan areas such as New York City, suburbs often experience market pressure that leads to housing cost increases. As mayor of New Rochelle, New York, from 2006 to 2023, Noam Bramson ...
www.pewtrusts.org
November 13, 2024 at 9:09 PM
New Q&A with former mayor of New Rochelle, NY on zoning reforms that added thousands of apartments: www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-...
Reposted by Alex Horowitz
Small-scale progress (in a literal and figurative sense) coming thanks to St. Paul's zoning reforms: 3 vacant lots are about to turn into 5 homes. Thanks to new zoning laws, old lots are allowed to be cut into smaller pieces.
That's exactly what will happen here!
That's exactly what will happen here!
November 11, 2024 at 12:44 AM
Small-scale progress (in a literal and figurative sense) coming thanks to St. Paul's zoning reforms: 3 vacant lots are about to turn into 5 homes. Thanks to new zoning laws, old lots are allowed to be cut into smaller pieces.
That's exactly what will happen here!
That's exactly what will happen here!