Jesse Kanson-Benanav
@jessekb.bsky.social
Saying yes to homes for all across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Executive director of @abundanthousingma.org | http://linkedin.com/in/jesse-kb
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
It sounds counterintuitive, but allowing buildings with just one staircase access can actually produce safer buildings.
Not to mention the tremendous effect on liveability that can come with smaller footprint buildings.
Read this excellent story!
Not to mention the tremendous effect on liveability that can come with smaller footprint buildings.
Read this excellent story!
Our piece on single stair: a crucial change that is slowly coming to Canadian cities
By me and @johnlorinc.bsky.social
By me and @johnlorinc.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 4:09 PM
It sounds counterintuitive, but allowing buildings with just one staircase access can actually produce safer buildings.
Not to mention the tremendous effect on liveability that can come with smaller footprint buildings.
Read this excellent story!
Not to mention the tremendous effect on liveability that can come with smaller footprint buildings.
Read this excellent story!
I am shocked to learn that Montgomery Ward still exists (at least in catalogue format)
January 17, 2026 at 4:15 PM
I am shocked to learn that Montgomery Ward still exists (at least in catalogue format)
Apropos of nothing in particular, new development in Mass. increases a city's Prop 2.5 basis. That is to say, if a city is having property tax issues, incentivizing new housing & commercial dev is one way to increase revenue potentially w/out raising individual residential taxes or prop 2.5 override
January 16, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Apropos of nothing in particular, new development in Mass. increases a city's Prop 2.5 basis. That is to say, if a city is having property tax issues, incentivizing new housing & commercial dev is one way to increase revenue potentially w/out raising individual residential taxes or prop 2.5 override
Massachusetts has entered the chat
Alternate take: Zohran Mamdani’s mayoralty is revealing that left NIMBYism was never a thing, e cept for a few places in California.
January 15, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Massachusetts has entered the chat
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
History has nothing to say about a fascist government wanting a list of Jews at a higher education institution. I won't hold my breath waiting for Jonathan Greenblatt's condemnation.
UPenn faculty condemn Trump administration’s demand for ‘lists of Jews’
Groups say EEOC demand for names and personal details echoes dark history and threatens safety and civil rights
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:25 AM
History has nothing to say about a fascist government wanting a list of Jews at a higher education institution. I won't hold my breath waiting for Jonathan Greenblatt's condemnation.
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
Congratulations to our 2025 Legislators of the Year @councillorsiddiqui.bsky.social and @burhanazeem.bsky.social, the newly selected Mayor and Vice Mayor of the Cambridge City Council!
January 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Congratulations to our 2025 Legislators of the Year @councillorsiddiqui.bsky.social and @burhanazeem.bsky.social, the newly selected Mayor and Vice Mayor of the Cambridge City Council!
I know there's lots of bad stuff in the world right now, but there is some good news
December 18, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I know there's lots of bad stuff in the world right now, but there is some good news
How would the trajectory of US and global politics have been different if this case went the other way and Gore won Florida?
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/12/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/12/m...
Today in History: Supreme Court issues Bush v. Gore decision - The Boston Globe
Today is Friday, Dec. 12, the 346th day of 2025. There are 19 days left in the year.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:39 PM
How would the trajectory of US and global politics have been different if this case went the other way and Gore won Florida?
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/12/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/12/m...
If they're safe in Minnesota, they're safe in Massachusetts too.
Let's get it done: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2...
Let's get it done: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2...
December 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
If they're safe in Minnesota, they're safe in Massachusetts too.
Let's get it done: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2...
Let's get it done: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2...
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
In 2024 we helped to pass a legislative study to prove what we already knew.
That 75' single egress buildings are safe, and the #MNleg should legalize them.
Today that report is now live! dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
That 75' single egress buildings are safe, and the #MNleg should legalize them.
Today that report is now live! dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
December 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
In 2024 we helped to pass a legislative study to prove what we already knew.
That 75' single egress buildings are safe, and the #MNleg should legalize them.
Today that report is now live! dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
That 75' single egress buildings are safe, and the #MNleg should legalize them.
Today that report is now live! dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
My MBTA Commuter Rail conductor tonight: "This train is free to Forest Hills tonight for construction or signal work or whatever on the orange line. The rest of you have to pay. Sorry."
December 6, 2025 at 12:04 AM
My MBTA Commuter Rail conductor tonight: "This train is free to Forest Hills tonight for construction or signal work or whatever on the orange line. The rest of you have to pay. Sorry."
Feeling grateful that my fellow Boston voters did not send Frank Baker back to the city council, with his bizarre logic that by-right zoning is somehow government interference (what? 🤦♂️) while he also basically campaigned on defacto Councilor prerogative over development.
November 21, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Feeling grateful that my fellow Boston voters did not send Frank Baker back to the city council, with his bizarre logic that by-right zoning is somehow government interference (what? 🤦♂️) while he also basically campaigned on defacto Councilor prerogative over development.
Where else besides Boston can you get violently screamed at by another driver for going straight on green, thus preventing them from making a dangerous and illegal left on green in front of oncoming traffic?
November 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Where else besides Boston can you get violently screamed at by another driver for going straight on green, thus preventing them from making a dangerous and illegal left on green in front of oncoming traffic?
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
The campaign has collected 70,000 of 74,574 signatures needed — and we’re so close!
Volunteer on Nov 15 or 16 to help us meet the goal before the filing deadline. ✍️
Sign up to help ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Volunteer on Nov 15 or 16 to help us meet the goal before the filing deadline. ✍️
Sign up to help ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Legalize Starter Homes Day of Action
Cambridge City Councillor Burhan Azeem, Abundant Housing Massachusetts, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Campaign are organizing a coordinated Day of Action to rally support for legalizing…
tinyurl.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM
The campaign has collected 70,000 of 74,574 signatures needed — and we’re so close!
Volunteer on Nov 15 or 16 to help us meet the goal before the filing deadline. ✍️
Sign up to help ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Volunteer on Nov 15 or 16 to help us meet the goal before the filing deadline. ✍️
Sign up to help ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
The Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative is an effort to update restrictive zoning to make it easier for working families, young people, and seniors to afford homes in Massachusetts.
To learn more about the ballot initiative visit here: www.legalizestarterhomes.com/about
To learn more about the ballot initiative visit here: www.legalizestarterhomes.com/about
Learn more about LSH
MA needs more housing. LSH's 2026 ballot question will make it easier & cheaper to build starter homes in MA.
www.legalizestarterhomes.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM
The Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative is an effort to update restrictive zoning to make it easier for working families, young people, and seniors to afford homes in Massachusetts.
To learn more about the ballot initiative visit here: www.legalizestarterhomes.com/about
To learn more about the ballot initiative visit here: www.legalizestarterhomes.com/about
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
🏡 Help us get more housing on the 2026 ballot!
Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Legalize Starter Homes Day of Action
Cambridge City Councillor Burhan Azeem, Abundant Housing Massachusetts, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Campaign are organizing a coordinated Day of Action to rally support for legalizing…
tinyurl.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM
🏡 Help us get more housing on the 2026 ballot!
Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
When we build enough supply of homes so that landlords must compete, renters win.
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
Bend's surge of apartment construction flattens rent hikes - The Bulletin
When Ian Gray looked for an apartment to rent in Bend earlier this year, he had something not available only a few years ago: a choice. Gray, who moved to Bend for a job as the city’s first-ever urban...
bendbulletin.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
When we build enough supply of homes so that landlords must compete, renters win.
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
October 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
Worth repeating:
"Anything that arbitrarily raises the cost of homes even at the high end will have a domino effect that exacerbates the already cutthroat competition for new homes"
"Anything that arbitrarily raises the cost of homes even at the high end will have a domino effect that exacerbates the already cutthroat competition for new homes"
Such a bad idea. We have a massive housing shortage in Boston that drives up costs for everyone. Anything that arbitrarily raises the cost of homes even at the high end will have a domino effect that exacerbates the already cutthroat competition for new homes 1/
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
Boston councilor proposes higher property taxes on large apartments to help homeowners
"The result would be that residential rates would be lowered across the city as a greater burden of the fixed Proposition 2.5 property tax revenue would fall on corporate landlords rather than on smal...
www.masslive.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Worth repeating:
"Anything that arbitrarily raises the cost of homes even at the high end will have a domino effect that exacerbates the already cutthroat competition for new homes"
"Anything that arbitrarily raises the cost of homes even at the high end will have a domino effect that exacerbates the already cutthroat competition for new homes"
Such a bad idea. We have a massive housing shortage in Boston that drives up costs for everyone. Anything that arbitrarily raises the cost of homes even at the high end will have a domino effect that exacerbates the already cutthroat competition for new homes 1/
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
Boston councilor proposes higher property taxes on large apartments to help homeowners
"The result would be that residential rates would be lowered across the city as a greater burden of the fixed Proposition 2.5 property tax revenue would fall on corporate landlords rather than on smal...
www.masslive.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Such a bad idea. We have a massive housing shortage in Boston that drives up costs for everyone. Anything that arbitrarily raises the cost of homes even at the high end will have a domino effect that exacerbates the already cutthroat competition for new homes 1/
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
Ayanna Pressley, the YIMBY? The congresswoman has endorsed the @abettercambr1dge.bsky.social backed City Council incumbents in Tuesday's election, all of whom voted for that monumental citywide multifamily zoning reform earlier this year. Via @politico.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Ayanna Pressley, the YIMBY? The congresswoman has endorsed the @abettercambr1dge.bsky.social backed City Council incumbents in Tuesday's election, all of whom voted for that monumental citywide multifamily zoning reform earlier this year. Via @politico.com
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
It was wonderful celebrating all the Housing wins we’ve had in Massachusetts over the last year.
Ft. @jessekb.bsky.social @berkie1.bsky.social @ajcampbellma.bsky.social
Ft. @jessekb.bsky.social @berkie1.bsky.social @ajcampbellma.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
It was wonderful celebrating all the Housing wins we’ve had in Massachusetts over the last year.
Ft. @jessekb.bsky.social @berkie1.bsky.social @ajcampbellma.bsky.social
Ft. @jessekb.bsky.social @berkie1.bsky.social @ajcampbellma.bsky.social
Tonight! @abundanthousingma.org's annual Celebration of Abundance in Brighton, w/@massago.bsky.social, @burhanazeem.bsky.social, @councillorsiddiqui.bsky.social, & pro-housing advocates from around MA. Get your tix ahead of time at link below or at the door!
www.abundanthousingma.org/ahmas-celebr...
www.abundanthousingma.org/ahmas-celebr...
October 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Tonight! @abundanthousingma.org's annual Celebration of Abundance in Brighton, w/@massago.bsky.social, @burhanazeem.bsky.social, @councillorsiddiqui.bsky.social, & pro-housing advocates from around MA. Get your tix ahead of time at link below or at the door!
www.abundanthousingma.org/ahmas-celebr...
www.abundanthousingma.org/ahmas-celebr...
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
We are proud to stand with 800+ national, state, local, civil rights, educati...
https://thearcofmass.org/post/the-arc-of-massachusetts-stands-with-800-organizations-in-condemning-mass-layoffs-at-department-of-education-urging-administration-and-congress-to-act-to-protect-children-with-disabilities/
https://thearcofmass.org/post/the-arc-of-massachusetts-stands-with-800-organizations-in-condemning-mass-layoffs-at-department-of-education-urging-administration-and-congress-to-act-to-protect-children-with-disabilities/
The Arc of Massachusetts Stands with 800+ Organizations in Condemning Mass Layoffs at Department of Education, Urging Administration and Congress to Act to Protect Children with Disabilities - The Arc of Massachusetts
Through advocacy, programs that promote inclusion, and engaging the community, The Arc creates tangible changes in the community and in the lives of people with disabilities.
thearcofmass.org
October 23, 2025 at 4:46 PM
We are proud to stand with 800+ national, state, local, civil rights, educati...
https://thearcofmass.org/post/the-arc-of-massachusetts-stands-with-800-organizations-in-condemning-mass-layoffs-at-department-of-education-urging-administration-and-congress-to-act-to-protect-children-with-disabilities/
https://thearcofmass.org/post/the-arc-of-massachusetts-stands-with-800-organizations-in-condemning-mass-layoffs-at-department-of-education-urging-administration-and-congress-to-act-to-protect-children-with-disabilities/
Good move, but even affordable housing in Boston gets caught up in long permitting processes & and require extensive variances that drive up the cost and open the developments to bad faith abutter lawsuits. 1/
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
Boston Housing Crisis: New law prioritizes converting city property into affordable homes
The new ordinance is part of an ongoing effort to "root families in Boston," Mayor Michelle Wu said Wednesday.
www.masslive.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Good move, but even affordable housing in Boston gets caught up in long permitting processes & and require extensive variances that drive up the cost and open the developments to bad faith abutter lawsuits. 1/
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...
www.masslive.com/boston/2025/...