Brian Hanlon
@hanlon.bsky.social
I co-founded @cayimby.bsky.social to make California affordable and accessible for everyone.
Support pro-housing candidates: http://cayimbyvictoryfund.org
Support pro-housing candidates: http://cayimbyvictoryfund.org
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
As we kick off the first hearing of the Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation, here’s why modernizing construction is essential to building housing faster and more affordably ⬇️
January 6, 2026 at 9:37 PM
As we kick off the first hearing of the Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation, here’s why modernizing construction is essential to building housing faster and more affordably ⬇️
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
This is the smartest thing I've read about the Venezuelan regime change effort.
16 hours in, my guess this was all intended basically as a coup to put VP Delcy Rodriguez in power (likely without her knowledge but 🤷).
At least for democracy & human rights, that might be even worse than the "opening shots in a war" scenario.
All speculation, but let me explain:
At least for democracy & human rights, that might be even worse than the "opening shots in a war" scenario.
All speculation, but let me explain:
January 4, 2026 at 12:53 AM
This is the smartest thing I've read about the Venezuelan regime change effort.
Is this Census data accurate?
Do only 3% of workers in this North Beach census tract take public transit to work?
Do only 3% of workers in this North Beach census tract take public transit to work?
December 29, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Is this Census data accurate?
Do only 3% of workers in this North Beach census tract take public transit to work?
Do only 3% of workers in this North Beach census tract take public transit to work?
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
My pickleball building code strategy is to adopt European window standards so that we can buy and manufacture triple-glazed tilt-and-turn windows at affordable prices that actually keep sound out
Zoning for pickleball… I guess we need to focus on the issues of our times, but this is indicative of a complain-oriented way of planning
December 27, 2025 at 7:45 PM
My pickleball building code strategy is to adopt European window standards so that we can buy and manufacture triple-glazed tilt-and-turn windows at affordable prices that actually keep sound out
Claude Code rules.
After hacking a Gibson, I updated Palo Alto's zoning code.
Which city should get Manhattanized next?
After hacking a Gibson, I updated Palo Alto's zoning code.
Which city should get Manhattanized next?
December 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Claude Code rules.
After hacking a Gibson, I updated Palo Alto's zoning code.
Which city should get Manhattanized next?
After hacking a Gibson, I updated Palo Alto's zoning code.
Which city should get Manhattanized next?
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
Every single report to shareholders from a large REIT includes something about how it's great that market-rate multifamily housing isn't getting built in high-cost coastal cities because the shortage is what allows them to rent gouge.
New housing stops landlords from raising rents—take it from the CEO of AvalonBay, one of NYC's largest landlords:
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
October 30, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Every single report to shareholders from a large REIT includes something about how it's great that market-rate multifamily housing isn't getting built in high-cost coastal cities because the shortage is what allows them to rent gouge.
SF has atrocious transit for people who value their time.
I wish SF transit advocates would stop pretending the transit status quo is acceptable.
We look unserious to normies when we praise our third-world transit system.*
I wish SF transit advocates would stop pretending the transit status quo is acceptable.
We look unserious to normies when we praise our third-world transit system.*
These are so dumb. Especially in a city with good mass transit.
“Traffic lights across the city were down, seemingly confusing the driverless cars —& halting them in their tracks. Riders and pedestrians posted videos of Waymos stuck at intersections, long lines of drivers behind them.”
Less well known— driverless cars contribute to traffic congestion EVERY day.
Less well known— driverless cars contribute to traffic congestion EVERY day.
December 22, 2025 at 6:42 AM
SF has atrocious transit for people who value their time.
I wish SF transit advocates would stop pretending the transit status quo is acceptable.
We look unserious to normies when we praise our third-world transit system.*
I wish SF transit advocates would stop pretending the transit status quo is acceptable.
We look unserious to normies when we praise our third-world transit system.*
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
If we believe (rightly) that clean energy technologies have a ton of potential domestically, then there's little downside to O&G permitting concessions and facilitating export alongside big reforms to clean energy interconnection, T&D, and permitting.
You either believe clean tech works or don't.
You either believe clean tech works or don't.
December 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM
If we believe (rightly) that clean energy technologies have a ton of potential domestically, then there's little downside to O&G permitting concessions and facilitating export alongside big reforms to clean energy interconnection, T&D, and permitting.
You either believe clean tech works or don't.
You either believe clean tech works or don't.
“Improving the epistemic environment” for decision makers (including voters!) is an underrated philanthropic effort.
In doing so, they've made massive contributions to improving the epistemic environment around these areas for journalists, policymakers and philanthropists (our team has benefited a bunch from their work).
December 19, 2025 at 9:22 PM
“Improving the epistemic environment” for decision makers (including voters!) is an underrated philanthropic effort.
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
The most important thing AC Transit can do is to set actual speed, frequency and reliability service goals (vision timetable) for the network.
That way ACT, host cities, the public and funders know what discrete improvements are supposed to add up to.
That way ACT, host cities, the public and funders know what discrete improvements are supposed to add up to.
Open question to the people: how would fix AC Transit?
The main goals:
- Increase bus frequency
- Reverse 20 year ridership decline
- Improve BART transfers
Go!
The main goals:
- Increase bus frequency
- Reverse 20 year ridership decline
- Improve BART transfers
Go!
December 19, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The most important thing AC Transit can do is to set actual speed, frequency and reliability service goals (vision timetable) for the network.
That way ACT, host cities, the public and funders know what discrete improvements are supposed to add up to.
That way ACT, host cities, the public and funders know what discrete improvements are supposed to add up to.
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
California legislators and committee consultants will tell you that the monthly fee for an ignition interlock device ($12 with the subsidy) is too great a financial burden for low-income who have killed someone with their vehicle.
December 12, 2025 at 12:51 AM
California legislators and committee consultants will tell you that the monthly fee for an ignition interlock device ($12 with the subsidy) is too great a financial burden for low-income who have killed someone with their vehicle.
I unexpectedly have ~2 hours free in DC tonight.
Anyone up?
Anyone up?
December 12, 2025 at 2:36 AM
I unexpectedly have ~2 hours free in DC tonight.
Anyone up?
Anyone up?
Very upsetting that ACLU is pro-drunk driving.
Requiring in-car breathalyzers for people convicted of a DUI is not "a form of racialized wealth extraction."
People of all backgrounds are getting killed and maimed by reckless drivers. Let's stop the carnage!
calmatters.org/newsletter/c...
Requiring in-car breathalyzers for people convicted of a DUI is not "a form of racialized wealth extraction."
People of all backgrounds are getting killed and maimed by reckless drivers. Let's stop the carnage!
calmatters.org/newsletter/c...
CA leaders look away as road deaths skyrocket
More and more people are dying on California roads, and millions are getting injured. What are lawmakers doing as vehicle deaths increase?
calmatters.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Very upsetting that ACLU is pro-drunk driving.
Requiring in-car breathalyzers for people convicted of a DUI is not "a form of racialized wealth extraction."
People of all backgrounds are getting killed and maimed by reckless drivers. Let's stop the carnage!
calmatters.org/newsletter/c...
Requiring in-car breathalyzers for people convicted of a DUI is not "a form of racialized wealth extraction."
People of all backgrounds are getting killed and maimed by reckless drivers. Let's stop the carnage!
calmatters.org/newsletter/c...
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
Still thinking about this article. It’s always been a sore spot in YIMBY circles that so many progressive foundations pour money into NIMBYism, and I’m glad it’s finally being aired in public. Keep talking about it. www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
Philanthropy Needs to Pick a Side on the Housing Construction Debate
Despite California’s severe housing shortage, foundations are still funding on the wrong side of the housing fight there, guest author Ned Resnikoff writes.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Still thinking about this article. It’s always been a sore spot in YIMBY circles that so many progressive foundations pour money into NIMBYism, and I’m glad it’s finally being aired in public. Keep talking about it. www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
"The buildings that single-stair promotes are just more — what’s the word? Nicer. They’re nicer."
Love this quote from @edmendoza.bsky.social!
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Love this quote from @edmendoza.bsky.social!
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
One California city’s idea to tackle the housing crisis: Take the stairs
For champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a buzzy cause in fighting California's housing crisis.
calmatters.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:23 PM
"The buildings that single-stair promotes are just more — what’s the word? Nicer. They’re nicer."
Love this quote from @edmendoza.bsky.social!
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Love this quote from @edmendoza.bsky.social!
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Georgia also boasts to most metal statue, Kartlis Deda.
"She symbolizes the Georgian national character: in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends, and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies"
"She symbolizes the Georgian national character: in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends, and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies"
November 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Georgia also boasts to most metal statue, Kartlis Deda.
"She symbolizes the Georgian national character: in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends, and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies"
"She symbolizes the Georgian national character: in her left hand she holds a bowl of wine to greet those who come as friends, and in her right hand is a sword for those who come as enemies"
Just in time for weekend reading: a 110 page PDF of foundations behaving badly.
Note these findings represent an undercount of foundation support for anti-housing orgs in CA.
YIMBY groups are massively outspent by left-NIMBYs!
Note these findings represent an undercount of foundation support for anti-housing orgs in CA.
YIMBY groups are massively outspent by left-NIMBYs!
Here's the research referenced in the piece: drive.google.com/file/u/0/d/1...
Foundation Funding of Anti-Housing Work_2025-10-2.pdf
drive.google.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Just in time for weekend reading: a 110 page PDF of foundations behaving badly.
Note these findings represent an undercount of foundation support for anti-housing orgs in CA.
YIMBY groups are massively outspent by left-NIMBYs!
Note these findings represent an undercount of foundation support for anti-housing orgs in CA.
YIMBY groups are massively outspent by left-NIMBYs!
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
This piece is based on research showing that since 2018 major foundations have given more than a quarter of a billion dollars to nonprofits that went on to oppose YIMBY legislation in California
New from me for Inside Philanthropy: California foundations need to decide whether they genuinely want to improve housing affordability or would rather keep funding NIMBY obstructionism in Sacramento. www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
Philanthropy Needs to Pick a Side on the Housing Construction Debate
Despite California’s severe housing shortage, foundations are still funding on the wrong side of the housing fight there, guest author Ned Resnikoff writes.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:53 PM
This piece is based on research showing that since 2018 major foundations have given more than a quarter of a billion dollars to nonprofits that went on to oppose YIMBY legislation in California
Foundations should stop funding groups that advance harmful housing policies.
These left-NIMBY nonprofits dwarf the YIMBY movement w/r/t funding and paid staff.
Great piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social!
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
These left-NIMBY nonprofits dwarf the YIMBY movement w/r/t funding and paid staff.
Great piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social!
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
Philanthropy Needs to Pick a Side on the Housing Construction Debate
Despite California’s severe housing shortage, foundations are still funding on the wrong side of the housing fight there, guest author Ned Resnikoff writes.
www.insidephilanthropy.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Foundations should stop funding groups that advance harmful housing policies.
These left-NIMBY nonprofits dwarf the YIMBY movement w/r/t funding and paid staff.
Great piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social!
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
These left-NIMBY nonprofits dwarf the YIMBY movement w/r/t funding and paid staff.
Great piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social!
www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/philant...
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the San Diego Legislative Town Hall. Your energy, ideas, and commitment made the conversation productive and the day a real success.
November 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the San Diego Legislative Town Hall. Your energy, ideas, and commitment made the conversation productive and the day a real success.
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
Because for many people, political activism is supposed to help you self actualize by performing virtuous acts of service on behalf of a more deserving Other. Taking and using political power to improve your own material circumstances is considered vulgar and inappropriate.
I don't know why "these are middle-class people who want economic security for themselves and their communities" is supposed to be a sick own.
many YIMBYs i know are actually quite explicit about working against their own financial interest
November 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Because for many people, political activism is supposed to help you self actualize by performing virtuous acts of service on behalf of a more deserving Other. Taking and using political power to improve your own material circumstances is considered vulgar and inappropriate.
Reposted by Brian Hanlon
“SB 827 was a BC/AD event for housing policy in America,” @hanlon.bsky.social says. “We’re not going to solve this through marginal tax credit, low-income housing projects. No. You just need to legalize fucking apartment buildings.”
Scott Wiener defeated California’s NIMBYs. Can he fix America’s housing crisis?
By running for Nancy Pelosi's House seat, he's putting the abundance theory to the test.
www.motherjones.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
“SB 827 was a BC/AD event for housing policy in America,” @hanlon.bsky.social says. “We’re not going to solve this through marginal tax credit, low-income housing projects. No. You just need to legalize fucking apartment buildings.”
Disappointed in SF: Lael Neale didn’t sell-out a small venue on Thursday night.
Give her a listen!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUA4...
Give her a listen!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUA4...
Lael Neale - I Am The River (Official Video)
YouTube video by Lael Neale
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Disappointed in SF: Lael Neale didn’t sell-out a small venue on Thursday night.
Give her a listen!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUA4...
Give her a listen!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUA4...