Yonah Freemark
@yonahfreemark.com
Transport / Housing / Land Use / Politics / @urbaninstitute.bsky.social / Le progrès ne vaut que s’il est partagé par tous / yonahfreemark.com / thetransportpolitic.com
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Yonah Freemark
@yonahfreemark.com
· Oct 29
How Does the Federal Government Support Housing?
The federal government supports the US housing market through dozens of initiatives administered by several agencies—in total, spending hundreds of billions …
www.urban.org
Think federal government housing aid is focused on low-income families & largely funded by the Department of Housing & Urban Development?
Think again.
In new work @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we provide a comprehensive account of the US government's many housing supports, which go far beyond HUD 🏘️
Think again.
In new work @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we provide a comprehensive account of the US government's many housing supports, which go far beyond HUD 🏘️
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
Key quote: "higher-density development may be *less feasible*, requiring higher rents than the local market may bear to make a project financeable. This results from the fact that higher construction costs for taller buildings dilute the benefit of increased density"
There's broad agreement that transit-oriented development—TOD—is good. But the financing isn't always in place to make it feasible.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we investigate factors that make TOD financially feasible, and point to opportunities for states to move the needle.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we investigate factors that make TOD financially feasible, and point to opportunities for states to move the needle.
The Financial Feasibility of Transit-Oriented Development
Our stylized analysis illuminates challenges facing TOD, including inadequate market rents in some areas and high construction costs, issues that may be aggr…
www.urban.org
December 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Key quote: "higher-density development may be *less feasible*, requiring higher rents than the local market may bear to make a project financeable. This results from the fact that higher construction costs for taller buildings dilute the benefit of increased density"
New paper on rezoning in NYC finds that upzoning is associated with:
—Greater housing supply: ~+4%
—More moves by incumbent residents out of upzoned areas, though not displaced to lower-income areas
—More moves in by residents from slightly higher-income areas
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
—Greater housing supply: ~+4%
—More moves by incumbent residents out of upzoned areas, though not displaced to lower-income areas
—More moves in by residents from slightly higher-income areas
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
December 23, 2025 at 3:52 PM
New paper on rezoning in NYC finds that upzoning is associated with:
—Greater housing supply: ~+4%
—More moves by incumbent residents out of upzoned areas, though not displaced to lower-income areas
—More moves in by residents from slightly higher-income areas
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
—Greater housing supply: ~+4%
—More moves by incumbent residents out of upzoned areas, though not displaced to lower-income areas
—More moves in by residents from slightly higher-income areas
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Montpellier FR began service on Tram 5 this past weekend. The 17.5 km line includes 11 km of new infrastructure as well as the creation of two major squares; the project cost €440 million, so roughly €65 m/mile. It's expected to serve 80,000 daily riders.
December 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Montpellier FR began service on Tram 5 this past weekend. The 17.5 km line includes 11 km of new infrastructure as well as the creation of two major squares; the project cost €440 million, so roughly €65 m/mile. It's expected to serve 80,000 daily riders.
In New York City, one of the arguments frequently made by the MTA against platform screen doors is that they would be difficult to implement because different trains running on the same line have doors located in different places.
Meanwhile, at Shenzhen's high-speed rail station:
Meanwhile, at Shenzhen's high-speed rail station:
Today Futian HSR Station in Shenzhen just installed a dual layer PSD system. Similar to the one I visited in Osaka, Japan; two layers of PSD units can shift around to match the door positions of any train. China has over 50 different HST models with a bunch of different door locations...
December 22, 2025 at 7:03 PM
In New York City, one of the arguments frequently made by the MTA against platform screen doors is that they would be difficult to implement because different trains running on the same line have doors located in different places.
Meanwhile, at Shenzhen's high-speed rail station:
Meanwhile, at Shenzhen's high-speed rail station:
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
Six states have adopted new congressional maps since August, and many lawsuits are now moving through courts. So, where exactly does that leave the fight for control of Congress?
You asked and we answered:
boltsmag.org/mid-decade-r...
You asked and we answered:
boltsmag.org/mid-decade-r...
The Escalating Race to Redistrict: Your Questions Answered - Bolts
How are the new maps changing the midterms? Why are courts not doing more? Would proportional representation help? We’ve got answers about mid-decade redistricting.
boltsmag.org
December 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Six states have adopted new congressional maps since August, and many lawsuits are now moving through courts. So, where exactly does that leave the fight for control of Congress?
You asked and we answered:
boltsmag.org/mid-decade-r...
You asked and we answered:
boltsmag.org/mid-decade-r...
Not just a petering out during the Biden years, but a concerted effort by moderate US senators, largely uncontested by senators to their left, to substitute the ambitions of the GND with a combination of the status-quo affirming IIJA/BIL & the tax credit focus of IRA.
The closest thing the left had to an answer to the question of what the future should look like (including aesthetically though with mixed results) was the green new deal. the petering out of that movement’s popular momentum in the Biden years has left a void that has yet to be filled
December 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Not just a petering out during the Biden years, but a concerted effort by moderate US senators, largely uncontested by senators to their left, to substitute the ambitions of the GND with a combination of the status-quo affirming IIJA/BIL & the tax credit focus of IRA.
I have a guess about what the new White House ballroom will be named
Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center —Karoline Leavitt x.com/PressSec/sta...
December 18, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I have a guess about what the new White House ballroom will be named
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
Truly North Korea territory
Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center —Karoline Leavitt x.com/PressSec/sta...
December 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Truly North Korea territory
An important factor at play in the free-fares vs. reduced-fares-for-low-income-people debate: A means-tested program will inevitably result in a large share of eligible people not using it.
The documentation required for NYC fair fares is a hurdle for some people, notably undocumented people.
The documentation required for NYC fair fares is a hurdle for some people, notably undocumented people.
December 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
An important factor at play in the free-fares vs. reduced-fares-for-low-income-people debate: A means-tested program will inevitably result in a large share of eligible people not using it.
The documentation required for NYC fair fares is a hurdle for some people, notably undocumented people.
The documentation required for NYC fair fares is a hurdle for some people, notably undocumented people.
There's broad agreement that transit-oriented development—TOD—is good. But the financing isn't always in place to make it feasible.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we investigate factors that make TOD financially feasible, and point to opportunities for states to move the needle.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we investigate factors that make TOD financially feasible, and point to opportunities for states to move the needle.
The Financial Feasibility of Transit-Oriented Development
Our stylized analysis illuminates challenges facing TOD, including inadequate market rents in some areas and high construction costs, issues that may be aggr…
www.urban.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
There's broad agreement that transit-oriented development—TOD—is good. But the financing isn't always in place to make it feasible.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we investigate factors that make TOD financially feasible, and point to opportunities for states to move the needle.
In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we investigate factors that make TOD financially feasible, and point to opportunities for states to move the needle.
How do you know whether transit-oriented development (TOD) is effectively serving your community?
At @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we develop a comprehensive set of TOD-related indicators for state, metropolitan, & local stakeholders to study over time & place ⬇️
At @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we develop a comprehensive set of TOD-related indicators for state, metropolitan, & local stakeholders to study over time & place ⬇️
Tracking Transit-Oriented Development
In this brief, we recommend a set of indicators—and associated available data—that can help stakeholders understand whether TOD is accomplishing several majo…
www.urban.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:56 PM
How do you know whether transit-oriented development (TOD) is effectively serving your community?
At @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we develop a comprehensive set of TOD-related indicators for state, metropolitan, & local stakeholders to study over time & place ⬇️
At @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we develop a comprehensive set of TOD-related indicators for state, metropolitan, & local stakeholders to study over time & place ⬇️
Outside US, auto industry is transitioning rapidly toward electric vehicles. EV market share is now >50% in China. & China now has by far the highest positive trade balance for auto exports.
Meanwhile, US car industry & its Trump admin supporters bury their heads in the sand as US EV sales decline.
Meanwhile, US car industry & its Trump admin supporters bury their heads in the sand as US EV sales decline.
China has achieved first-mover advantage in autonomous, connected, electric (ACE) vehicles. The US response has been tariffs and market isolation. A new CFR paper by @profdavidhart.bsky.social argues this is a trap—we need to compete, not retreat. 1/
www.cfr.org/report/compe...
www.cfr.org/report/compe...
Compete, Don’t Retreat
The primary U.S. response to China’s first-mover advantages in emerging auto technologies has been protection. A smarter strategy would seek to compete by supporting producers and collaborating with …
www.cfr.org
December 16, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Outside US, auto industry is transitioning rapidly toward electric vehicles. EV market share is now >50% in China. & China now has by far the highest positive trade balance for auto exports.
Meanwhile, US car industry & its Trump admin supporters bury their heads in the sand as US EV sales decline.
Meanwhile, US car industry & its Trump admin supporters bury their heads in the sand as US EV sales decline.
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
I realize folks don't want to hear this, but we really need to re-examine the conventional wisdom that we can shift the entire US market to pure EV with massive batteries and some light consumer incentives.
It's a nice thing to believe but the evidence doesn't add up.
It's a nice thing to believe but the evidence doesn't add up.
Production of the all-electric Ford F-150 has come to an end. But the next one will be an extended-range electric vehicle, or EREV, with 700 miles of range.
But Ford announced other pivots back to gas today too:
insideevs.com/news/781889/...
But Ford announced other pivots back to gas today too:
insideevs.com/news/781889/...
The Next Ford F-150 Lightning Will Get A Gas Engine
Ford has an answer to the F-150 Lightning's woes: turn it into a 700-mile extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) for the next generation.
insideevs.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:58 PM
I realize folks don't want to hear this, but we really need to re-examine the conventional wisdom that we can shift the entire US market to pure EV with massive batteries and some light consumer incentives.
It's a nice thing to believe but the evidence doesn't add up.
It's a nice thing to believe but the evidence doesn't add up.
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
In new work @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we detail how states & provinces are developing mandates for localities to plan for—and allow the construction of—transit-oriented development (TOD).
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
Mandating Density Near Transit
Developing higher-level government planning standards should be a vital element of a broader effort to promote TOD, which includes tracking the performance o…
www.urban.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
In new work @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we detail how states & provinces are developing mandates for localities to plan for—and allow the construction of—transit-oriented development (TOD).
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
Taxpayers pay for transit service not to run vehicles, but to serve people. The public thus has an interest in ensuring that as many people as possible can benefit from those services.
In new work @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we detail how states & provinces are developing mandates for localities to plan for—and allow the construction of—transit-oriented development (TOD).
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
Mandating Density Near Transit
Developing higher-level government planning standards should be a vital element of a broader effort to promote TOD, which includes tracking the performance o…
www.urban.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Taxpayers pay for transit service not to run vehicles, but to serve people. The public thus has an interest in ensuring that as many people as possible can benefit from those services.
In new work @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we detail how states & provinces are developing mandates for localities to plan for—and allow the construction of—transit-oriented development (TOD).
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
Mandating Density Near Transit
Developing higher-level government planning standards should be a vital element of a broader effort to promote TOD, which includes tracking the performance o…
www.urban.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
In new work @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, we detail how states & provinces are developing mandates for localities to plan for—and allow the construction of—transit-oriented development (TOD).
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
This comprehensive accounting of state/provincial laws shows how they can take preemptive action on TOD.
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
Talking with friends yesterday about the current culture around getting rich while "doing good" (and how squishy that is) and in any space that touches Big Tech I do understand that for most people when they're not talking to me they're around guys like this
online gambling is essentially legal and open money fixing and laundering at this point
December 13, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Talking with friends yesterday about the current culture around getting rich while "doing good" (and how squishy that is) and in any space that touches Big Tech I do understand that for most people when they're not talking to me they're around guys like this
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
A quote from @yonahfreemark.com:
"It is, frankly, demonstrative of the way that too many local and state governments treat their transit systems, which is a mechanism to move poor people around. Board members don’t see themselves as users of the system."
www.startribune.com/metro-transi...
"It is, frankly, demonstrative of the way that too many local and state governments treat their transit systems, which is a mechanism to move poor people around. Board members don’t see themselves as users of the system."
www.startribune.com/metro-transi...
Met Council members oversee Twin Cities transit, but rarely ride it
In the last year, just half of those appointed to the Metropolitan Council have taken advantage of the free Metro Transit rides that come with their job.
www.startribune.com
December 13, 2025 at 7:29 PM
A quote from @yonahfreemark.com:
"It is, frankly, demonstrative of the way that too many local and state governments treat their transit systems, which is a mechanism to move poor people around. Board members don’t see themselves as users of the system."
www.startribune.com/metro-transi...
"It is, frankly, demonstrative of the way that too many local and state governments treat their transit systems, which is a mechanism to move poor people around. Board members don’t see themselves as users of the system."
www.startribune.com/metro-transi...
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
US building codes requiring two stairs in multifamily buildings: not only worse living environments, but also more dangerous in fires! What a combination.
Consultants contracted by Minnesota found that an eight-story single-stair building with 6,000 sq. ft. per floor (building 4) has dramatically lower fire risk than a same-height code-compliant two-stair building with a larger floor plate (building 1) www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
December 12, 2025 at 10:58 PM
US building codes requiring two stairs in multifamily buildings: not only worse living environments, but also more dangerous in fires! What a combination.
US building codes requiring two stairs in multifamily buildings: not only worse living environments, but also more dangerous in fires! What a combination.
Consultants contracted by Minnesota found that an eight-story single-stair building with 6,000 sq. ft. per floor (building 4) has dramatically lower fire risk than a same-height code-compliant two-stair building with a larger floor plate (building 1) www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
December 12, 2025 at 10:58 PM
US building codes requiring two stairs in multifamily buildings: not only worse living environments, but also more dangerous in fires! What a combination.
This is going to be a fun event where—unlike at the @nationalacademies.org Transportation Research Board—we're going to actually talk about issues of equity, justice, and mobility. Register if you can make it to DC in January!
Free public registration is now open for the Crossroads Convening on Transportation Equity and Justice, 1/15/26 at the MLK Library in DC.
Registration is free. We've got three sessions across four tracks. Confirmed speakers include Robert Bullard, Anna Zivarts, Naomi Doerner, and Gretchen Goldman.
Registration is free. We've got three sessions across four tracks. Confirmed speakers include Robert Bullard, Anna Zivarts, Naomi Doerner, and Gretchen Goldman.
Crossroads: A Transportation Equity and Justice Convening
Join the Union of Concerned Scientists and our transportation partners for a one-day event to discuss transportation equity and justice. Thursday, January 15, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET, at the Ma...
secure.ucs.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
This is going to be a fun event where—unlike at the @nationalacademies.org Transportation Research Board—we're going to actually talk about issues of equity, justice, and mobility. Register if you can make it to DC in January!
Canada will break ground on its 200 mph high-speed rail line in 2029, with the first segment to be constructed to be the 200 km stretch between Montreal and Ottawa. Ultimately, the line will link Toronto and Quebec City, and reduce trips from Montreal to Toronto to 3 hours.
Montreal-Ottawa chosen as first leg of high-speed rail project | CBC News
The first segment of Canada's proposed high-speed rail network would connect Montreal and Ottawa, according to Radio-Canada.
Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon is expected to make the announc...
www.cbc.ca
December 12, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Canada will break ground on its 200 mph high-speed rail line in 2029, with the first segment to be constructed to be the 200 km stretch between Montreal and Ottawa. Ultimately, the line will link Toronto and Quebec City, and reduce trips from Montreal to Toronto to 3 hours.
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
This is an argument I have made for a while - if you want to allow more new housing development, you'll face a lot less opposition if you protect existing tenants with rent regulation. Nice to have some more evidence to back that up.
Um, ok...
This paper forthcoming at the JOP provides evidence that rent control in Germany actually made tenants MASSIVELY *less* NIMBY.
This result was in the opposite direction of the authors' pre-registered expectations.
And the effect sizes are, truly, massive.
This paper forthcoming at the JOP provides evidence that rent control in Germany actually made tenants MASSIVELY *less* NIMBY.
This result was in the opposite direction of the authors' pre-registered expectations.
And the effect sizes are, truly, massive.
December 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
This is an argument I have made for a while - if you want to allow more new housing development, you'll face a lot less opposition if you protect existing tenants with rent regulation. Nice to have some more evidence to back that up.
Reposted by Yonah Freemark
Minus big-bucks lifelines, some U.S. transit systems are facing disaster.
🚇 🚍
But the MTA is *adding* subway and bus service, not cutting it — and has dodged layoffs.
💰 💰
“This is a remarkable turnaround just from a few years ago.”
NEW STORY in @thecity.nyc www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/12/m...
🚇 🚍
But the MTA is *adding* subway and bus service, not cutting it — and has dodged layoffs.
💰 💰
“This is a remarkable turnaround just from a few years ago.”
NEW STORY in @thecity.nyc www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/12/m...
As U.S. Transit Takes a Dive, MTA Enjoys a Rarity: More Service and Stable Cash Flow
San Francisco and Philly are limping along. Yet in New York, North America’s largest mass transportation authority finds itself running more trains and buses, and limiting fare hikes.
www.thecity.nyc
December 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Minus big-bucks lifelines, some U.S. transit systems are facing disaster.
🚇 🚍
But the MTA is *adding* subway and bus service, not cutting it — and has dodged layoffs.
💰 💰
“This is a remarkable turnaround just from a few years ago.”
NEW STORY in @thecity.nyc www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/12/m...
🚇 🚍
But the MTA is *adding* subway and bus service, not cutting it — and has dodged layoffs.
💰 💰
“This is a remarkable turnaround just from a few years ago.”
NEW STORY in @thecity.nyc www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/12/m...
The Paris C1 line—the region’s first aerial tram—will open for service tomorrow in suburban Créteil. The €125 million line will extend 4.5 km and service 5 stations www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/le-reseau...
December 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The Paris C1 line—the region’s first aerial tram—will open for service tomorrow in suburban Créteil. The €125 million line will extend 4.5 km and service 5 stations www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/le-reseau...