Mike English
@mocomikee.bsky.social
Downtown Silver Spring Maryland resident and housing advocate. Trans Rights. Liberal. YIMBY. Supply, Stability, Subsidy. Autistic and it’s fine, views my own. he/him
Pinned
Mike English
@mocomikee.bsky.social
· Nov 16
1/3 There will always be some tension between advocates that primarily focus on the need for more housing and those that focus on tenant protections. Still, as someone in both spaces, we could all benefit from remembering we’re all fighting for tenants to have more leverage
Reposted by Mike English
A single person making $82,000 a year should not need a subsidized apartment. A family making $117,000 should be able to buy a home.
We need to build more homes until median rent is less than 30% of median monthly income and median home prices are less than 4x median annual income.
We need to build more homes until median rent is less than 30% of median monthly income and median home prices are less than 4x median annual income.
November 11, 2025 at 7:12 PM
A single person making $82,000 a year should not need a subsidized apartment. A family making $117,000 should be able to buy a home.
We need to build more homes until median rent is less than 30% of median monthly income and median home prices are less than 4x median annual income.
We need to build more homes until median rent is less than 30% of median monthly income and median home prices are less than 4x median annual income.
Reposted by Mike English
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...
Reposted by Mike English
The price of housing is set by supply and demand. Building enough new homes keeps the price of existing older homes affordable. This is very straightforward.
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 5:08 PM
The price of housing is set by supply and demand. Building enough new homes keeps the price of existing older homes affordable. This is very straightforward.
It’s also the biggest tell that they don’t really think renters are really residents.
NIMBYism has a lot of strange attributes, one of them being a total distortion of language.
For example: when NIMBYs complain about the idea of building more homes in "residential neighborhoods" –
How is someone supposed to respond to that. Where are homes supposed to go.
For example: when NIMBYs complain about the idea of building more homes in "residential neighborhoods" –
How is someone supposed to respond to that. Where are homes supposed to go.
November 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
It’s also the biggest tell that they don’t really think renters are really residents.
Reposted by Mike English
NIMBYism has a lot of strange attributes, one of them being a total distortion of language.
For example: when NIMBYs complain about the idea of building more homes in "residential neighborhoods" –
How is someone supposed to respond to that. Where are homes supposed to go.
For example: when NIMBYs complain about the idea of building more homes in "residential neighborhoods" –
How is someone supposed to respond to that. Where are homes supposed to go.
November 11, 2025 at 5:28 PM
NIMBYism has a lot of strange attributes, one of them being a total distortion of language.
For example: when NIMBYs complain about the idea of building more homes in "residential neighborhoods" –
How is someone supposed to respond to that. Where are homes supposed to go.
For example: when NIMBYs complain about the idea of building more homes in "residential neighborhoods" –
How is someone supposed to respond to that. Where are homes supposed to go.
Reposted by Mike English
This Veterans Day, we honor all who have served. Thank you for your bravery, sacrifice, and leadership.
Learn more about veterans services and check out Montgomery County's Operation Green Light Initiative 👇
🔗 www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/ADS/VETERANS/VeteransIndex.html
Learn more about veterans services and check out Montgomery County's Operation Green Light Initiative 👇
🔗 www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/ADS/VETERANS/VeteransIndex.html
November 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
This Veterans Day, we honor all who have served. Thank you for your bravery, sacrifice, and leadership.
Learn more about veterans services and check out Montgomery County's Operation Green Light Initiative 👇
🔗 www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/ADS/VETERANS/VeteransIndex.html
Learn more about veterans services and check out Montgomery County's Operation Green Light Initiative 👇
🔗 www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/ADS/VETERANS/VeteransIndex.html
Reposted by Mike English
Honored to join today's Veterans Day Operation Green Light event. Too many veterans still face barriers to basic and mental health care. Montgomery County is focused on breaking those barriers and connecting veterans and their families with the support they've earned.
November 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Honored to join today's Veterans Day Operation Green Light event. Too many veterans still face barriers to basic and mental health care. Montgomery County is focused on breaking those barriers and connecting veterans and their families with the support they've earned.
Reposted by Mike English
Very personal example: My spouse won two local elections (2021 + 2025) on an unapologetically pro-housing, pro-working class platform even though the city of Annapolis has a strong and vocal anti-housing contingent. You can run on your values (or support those who do) and show folks what's possible!
November 10, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Very personal example: My spouse won two local elections (2021 + 2025) on an unapologetically pro-housing, pro-working class platform even though the city of Annapolis has a strong and vocal anti-housing contingent. You can run on your values (or support those who do) and show folks what's possible!
It’s true
Killing new housing in the suburbs = killing affordability in the suburbs, simple as that
November 9, 2025 at 7:26 PM
It’s true
Reposted by Mike English
Killing new housing in the suburbs = killing affordability in the suburbs, simple as that
November 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Killing new housing in the suburbs = killing affordability in the suburbs, simple as that
Reposted by Mike English
November 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Mike English
Apply for assistance with your energy bills through the Pepco Customer Relief Fund today administered
by the Salvation Army. If you’re trying to manage rising energy costs, financial support may be available.
Learn more: pepco.com/ReliefMD
by the Salvation Army. If you’re trying to manage rising energy costs, financial support may be available.
Learn more: pepco.com/ReliefMD
November 7, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Apply for assistance with your energy bills through the Pepco Customer Relief Fund today administered
by the Salvation Army. If you’re trying to manage rising energy costs, financial support may be available.
Learn more: pepco.com/ReliefMD
by the Salvation Army. If you’re trying to manage rising energy costs, financial support may be available.
Learn more: pepco.com/ReliefMD
Reposted by Mike English
A white gay man who grew up in Virginia and moved to New York to attend NYU for acting and comedy writing has been having a multi-day crash out in my twitter mentions about how the city does not need more housing for "gentrifiers" and like, baby, the call is coming from inside the house!
November 7, 2025 at 6:57 PM
A white gay man who grew up in Virginia and moved to New York to attend NYU for acting and comedy writing has been having a multi-day crash out in my twitter mentions about how the city does not need more housing for "gentrifiers" and like, baby, the call is coming from inside the house!
Reposted by Mike English
there should be a word in English for when somebody tells a story that they think valorizes them but they're the obvious villain
November 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM
there should be a word in English for when somebody tells a story that they think valorizes them but they're the obvious villain
Yuuuuuuup
people hate hearing this but it's 100% true, creating a huge pay gap between political leaders, their staffs, and other elites is a recipe for corruption. of course the flip side of that is taxes on the rich should be jacked way the hell up
The Mayor of New York only makes $260k. I bet there are police that make more than that in NY with overtime.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
November 7, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Yuuuuuuup
Reposted by Mike English
people hate hearing this but it's 100% true, creating a huge pay gap between political leaders, their staffs, and other elites is a recipe for corruption. of course the flip side of that is taxes on the rich should be jacked way the hell up
The Mayor of New York only makes $260k. I bet there are police that make more than that in NY with overtime.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
November 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
people hate hearing this but it's 100% true, creating a huge pay gap between political leaders, their staffs, and other elites is a recipe for corruption. of course the flip side of that is taxes on the rich should be jacked way the hell up
Reposted by Mike English
ryan is right. people HATE hearing this. but it is just a matter of simple incentives. if you want a more representative legislature — and if you want a legislature more resistant to corruption — then you need to jack up the salaries. serving as mayor of NYC should net you a cool 500K *at least*
people hate hearing this but it's 100% true, creating a huge pay gap between political leaders, their staffs, and other elites is a recipe for corruption. of course the flip side of that is taxes on the rich should be jacked way the hell up
The Mayor of New York only makes $260k. I bet there are police that make more than that in NY with overtime.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
November 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
ryan is right. people HATE hearing this. but it is just a matter of simple incentives. if you want a more representative legislature — and if you want a legislature more resistant to corruption — then you need to jack up the salaries. serving as mayor of NYC should net you a cool 500K *at least*
Reposted by Mike English
At a meeting about whether we're going to build housing for young families like us. An elderly NIMBY got mad at @alanakinrich.medsky.social for 'being distracting' by breastfeeding our baby in the reserved seats in the front. In case you're wondering who they think should be part of this process.
November 7, 2025 at 2:30 AM
At a meeting about whether we're going to build housing for young families like us. An elderly NIMBY got mad at @alanakinrich.medsky.social for 'being distracting' by breastfeeding our baby in the reserved seats in the front. In case you're wondering who they think should be part of this process.
Reposted by Mike English
Does this look like a representative sample of the community, or a room full of older homeowners who are disproportionately likely to oppose new housing?
At a meeting about whether we're going to build housing for young families like us. An elderly NIMBY got mad at @alanakinrich.medsky.social for 'being distracting' by breastfeeding our baby in the reserved seats in the front. In case you're wondering who they think should be part of this process.
November 7, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Does this look like a representative sample of the community, or a room full of older homeowners who are disproportionately likely to oppose new housing?
A thousand times this
Maybe mostly unintentional, but when folks on my Takoma Park neighborhood listserv bring up or agree about “slums” (2-family houses or apartments), they’re being explicitly classist, even if they use “progressive” words.
At some point, it’s their fault for having no self-reflection.
At some point, it’s their fault for having no self-reflection.
November 6, 2025 at 9:43 PM
A thousand times this
Some of the left NIMBYs also have an underlying and I think mostly unintentional classism and/or racism about them too, we are none of us free of all prejudice of all kinds, but yeah this is largely the case
Right-NIMBYs already have what they want, which is the ability to institute zoning that excludes poorer people from their neighborhoods.
Left-NIMBYs want the power to pick and choose their neighbors on different criteria, admitting only people who they deem deserving. This is why they like co-ops.
Left-NIMBYs want the power to pick and choose their neighbors on different criteria, admitting only people who they deem deserving. This is why they like co-ops.
November 6, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Some of the left NIMBYs also have an underlying and I think mostly unintentional classism and/or racism about them too, we are none of us free of all prejudice of all kinds, but yeah this is largely the case
Reposted by Mike English
Right-NIMBYs already have what they want, which is the ability to institute zoning that excludes poorer people from their neighborhoods.
Left-NIMBYs want the power to pick and choose their neighbors on different criteria, admitting only people who they deem deserving. This is why they like co-ops.
Left-NIMBYs want the power to pick and choose their neighbors on different criteria, admitting only people who they deem deserving. This is why they like co-ops.
November 6, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Right-NIMBYs already have what they want, which is the ability to institute zoning that excludes poorer people from their neighborhoods.
Left-NIMBYs want the power to pick and choose their neighbors on different criteria, admitting only people who they deem deserving. This is why they like co-ops.
Left-NIMBYs want the power to pick and choose their neighbors on different criteria, admitting only people who they deem deserving. This is why they like co-ops.
Not shocking at this point, but still cruel and harmful.
1. In a major shadow docket ruling from the Supreme Court, the court has ruled against trans people's passports, giving a stay to the Trump administration.
The admin has previously indicated it intend to revoke some passports if it got this ruling.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
The admin has previously indicated it intend to revoke some passports if it got this ruling.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
SCOTUS Rules Against Trans People's Passport Gender Markers In Shadow Docket Ruling
The administration has previously indicated it could revoke some trans people's passports if it got this ruling.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Not shocking at this point, but still cruel and harmful.
Reposted by Mike English
1. In a major shadow docket ruling from the Supreme Court, the court has ruled against trans people's passports, giving a stay to the Trump administration.
The admin has previously indicated it intend to revoke some passports if it got this ruling.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
The admin has previously indicated it intend to revoke some passports if it got this ruling.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
SCOTUS Rules Against Trans People's Passport Gender Markers In Shadow Docket Ruling
The administration has previously indicated it could revoke some trans people's passports if it got this ruling.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:29 PM
1. In a major shadow docket ruling from the Supreme Court, the court has ruled against trans people's passports, giving a stay to the Trump administration.
The admin has previously indicated it intend to revoke some passports if it got this ruling.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
The admin has previously indicated it intend to revoke some passports if it got this ruling.
Subscribe to support our journalism.
Reposted by Mike English
There is truly nothing new under the sun.
Brendan Gill doing the “ I don’t even think anyone lives in these new apartments“ song and dance, 38 years ago
November 6, 2025 at 5:01 PM
There is truly nothing new under the sun.