Christian Britschgi
@christianb.bsky.social
Reporter at Reason Magazine covering urbanism, property rights, and occasionally heavy metal. Sign up for my housing newsletter! https://reason.com/newsletters/rent-free/
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
“The proposed amendments would mandate new S.B. 840 apartments with an outdoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, pedestrian trails, and masonry walls of between eight and 10 feet tall.” 😳
The ways that Texas NIMBYs are finding to make apartments more expensive to build are are funnier than what coastal NIMBYs come up with reason.com/2025/10/14/t...
by @christianb.bsky.social
by @christianb.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 7:21 PM
“The proposed amendments would mandate new S.B. 840 apartments with an outdoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, pedestrian trails, and masonry walls of between eight and 10 feet tall.” 😳
In California, cities like to thwart new housing with affordable housing mandates.
Texas cites thwart new housing with luxury housing mandates.
The result is the same; less construction, higher prices.
Texas cites thwart new housing with luxury housing mandates.
The result is the same; less construction, higher prices.
The ways that Texas NIMBYs are finding to make apartments more expensive to build are are funnier than what coastal NIMBYs come up with reason.com/2025/10/14/t...
by @christianb.bsky.social
by @christianb.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 6:15 PM
In California, cities like to thwart new housing with affordable housing mandates.
Texas cites thwart new housing with luxury housing mandates.
The result is the same; less construction, higher prices.
Texas cites thwart new housing with luxury housing mandates.
The result is the same; less construction, higher prices.
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
The ways that Texas NIMBYs are finding to make apartments more expensive to build are are funnier than what coastal NIMBYs come up with reason.com/2025/10/14/t...
by @christianb.bsky.social
by @christianb.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The ways that Texas NIMBYs are finding to make apartments more expensive to build are are funnier than what coastal NIMBYs come up with reason.com/2025/10/14/t...
by @christianb.bsky.social
by @christianb.bsky.social
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
If the Trump administration wants to use military power, it should seek authorization from Congress, says Sen. Rand Paul.
The Constitution does not allow the president to unilaterally blow suspected drug smugglers to smithereens
If the Trump administration wants to use military power, it should seek authorization from Congress, says Sen. Rand Paul.
reason.pub
October 9, 2025 at 12:37 AM
If the Trump administration wants to use military power, it should seek authorization from Congress, says Sen. Rand Paul.
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
"I like an escalator because an escalator can never break; it can only become stairs. There would never be an 'escalator temporarily out of order' sign, only 'escalator temporarily stairs. Sorry for the convenience.'" — Mitch Hedberg
Maria Bartiromo: "The escalator stopped as soon as he and the first lady stepped on it. Look at how great Melania was. She's unphased. She walks on it ... but this could've been a massive, massive issue. The president being frozen there in one place makes him vulnerable."
September 25, 2025 at 8:07 PM
"I like an escalator because an escalator can never break; it can only become stairs. There would never be an 'escalator temporarily out of order' sign, only 'escalator temporarily stairs. Sorry for the convenience.'" — Mitch Hedberg
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
@christianb.bsky.social on whether YIMBYism or post-neoliberalism is needed to get housing built reason.com/2025/08/19/a...
August 21, 2025 at 1:06 AM
@christianb.bsky.social on whether YIMBYism or post-neoliberalism is needed to get housing built reason.com/2025/08/19/a...
So far there’s been 7 applications for SB 9 projects in the Palisades. For Newsom and Bass, that’s dangerous overdevelopment.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass declare NIMBY martial law to prevent wildfire-ravaged properties from being turned into duplexes.
Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass declare NIMBY martial law to stop duplexes in the Palisades
California Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass are ensuring no new net housing is created during rebuilding of wildfire-ravaged neighborhoods.
reason.com
August 6, 2025 at 4:44 AM
So far there’s been 7 applications for SB 9 projects in the Palisades. For Newsom and Bass, that’s dangerous overdevelopment.
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass declare NIMBY martial law to prevent wildfire-ravaged properties from being turned into duplexes.
Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass declare NIMBY martial law to stop duplexes in the Palisades
California Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass are ensuring no new net housing is created during rebuilding of wildfire-ravaged neighborhoods.
reason.com
August 6, 2025 at 12:48 AM
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass declare NIMBY martial law to prevent wildfire-ravaged properties from being turned into duplexes.
I wrote up the supply portions of the new Senate housing bill for the newsletter. Basically it’s a bill of a million tweaks, with many of those tweaks focused on shifting existing federal grant spending toward higher-growth jurisdictions reason.com/2025/07/29/o...
One big beautiful housing supply bill
Congress considers a bipartisan housing supply bill, while the White House executive order cracks down on the homeless.
reason.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I wrote up the supply portions of the new Senate housing bill for the newsletter. Basically it’s a bill of a million tweaks, with many of those tweaks focused on shifting existing federal grant spending toward higher-growth jurisdictions reason.com/2025/07/29/o...
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
Look at what they did to my big brutalist boy.
July 29, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Look at what they did to my big brutalist boy.
I’m very supportive of speed cameras in the abstract but cities do also just use them as ATM machines
I FOIA'd DC to find out when its camera was adjusted to enforce the new limit. The answer came back: some time in the 18 days starting a day *before* new speed limit signs were posted.
DC didn't want to alert drivers. It wanted to hit them with tickets before they knew the limit had changed. (4/6)
DC didn't want to alert drivers. It wanted to hit them with tickets before they knew the limit had changed. (4/6)
July 26, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I’m very supportive of speed cameras in the abstract but cities do also just use them as ATM machines
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
Evaluation of Minneapolis’ reducing zoning constraints in suggests that deregulation reduced housing costs by 15-23%—even without adding a lot of new units, because density alone may reduce construction costs. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Effects of Minneapolis Upzoning on House Prices: Evidence from the Minneapolis 2040 Plan
The Minneapolis 2040 Plan, which came into effect in January 2020, introduced sweeping re- forms to housing regulations. One of the most significant aspect of t
papers.ssrn.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Evaluation of Minneapolis’ reducing zoning constraints in suggests that deregulation reduced housing costs by 15-23%—even without adding a lot of new units, because density alone may reduce construction costs. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
This is democracy manifest
A Chuck E. Cheese employee in full costume was arrested by Tallahassee officers for credit card fraud
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l...
July 25, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This is democracy manifest
Didn’t realize until writing this piece but Seattle’s inclusionary zoning policy has no minimum threshold.
Even if you’re adding just one unit of housing, you could end up having to pay affordable housing fees.
Even if IZ were constitutional, that’s insane reason.com/2025/07/17/s...
Even if you’re adding just one unit of housing, you could end up having to pay affordable housing fees.
Even if IZ were constitutional, that’s insane reason.com/2025/07/17/s...
Seattle property owners challenge program that charges 'affordable housing' fees for building new homes
The lawsuit claims that the city's Mandatory Housing Affordability program unconstitutionally penalizes property owners just for trying to build housing.
reason.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Didn’t realize until writing this piece but Seattle’s inclusionary zoning policy has no minimum threshold.
Even if you’re adding just one unit of housing, you could end up having to pay affordable housing fees.
Even if IZ were constitutional, that’s insane reason.com/2025/07/17/s...
Even if you’re adding just one unit of housing, you could end up having to pay affordable housing fees.
Even if IZ were constitutional, that’s insane reason.com/2025/07/17/s...
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
@zyudhishthu.bsky.social, @christianb.bsky.social & others have shown how Minneapolis legalized triplexes but only built ~35 in its first 3 years.
Portland built 8x faster.
Why? Size. Minneapolis said triplex homes on a standard lot could average no more than 833sqft.
Portland built 8x faster.
Why? Size. Minneapolis said triplex homes on a standard lot could average no more than 833sqft.
Mapping Minneapolis’ Post-2040 Plan Duplexes and Triplexes
A geographic visualization of new duplexes and triplexes since the Minneapolis 2040 Plan passed shows what can work — or not — with local regulatory policy.
streets.mn
June 4, 2025 at 10:23 PM
@zyudhishthu.bsky.social, @christianb.bsky.social & others have shown how Minneapolis legalized triplexes but only built ~35 in its first 3 years.
Portland built 8x faster.
Why? Size. Minneapolis said triplex homes on a standard lot could average no more than 833sqft.
Portland built 8x faster.
Why? Size. Minneapolis said triplex homes on a standard lot could average no more than 833sqft.
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
your Reason headline of the day reason.com/2025/05/21/p...
May 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
your Reason headline of the day reason.com/2025/05/21/p...
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
Two New Jersey business owners are having their properties (a tire shop and a 4plex) taken by the city of Perth Amboy b/c both are allegedly blighted.
The city's evidence of blight? Its own mismapped property lines, litter on adjacent city land, and too little parking reason.com/2025/05/13/n...
The city's evidence of blight? Its own mismapped property lines, litter on adjacent city land, and too little parking reason.com/2025/05/13/n...
New Jersey town says small setbacks, stray cats allow it to seize private property
Business owners say the city of Perth Amboy is using exceedingly flimsy allegations to take their property.
reason.com
May 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Two New Jersey business owners are having their properties (a tire shop and a 4plex) taken by the city of Perth Amboy b/c both are allegedly blighted.
The city's evidence of blight? Its own mismapped property lines, litter on adjacent city land, and too little parking reason.com/2025/05/13/n...
The city's evidence of blight? Its own mismapped property lines, litter on adjacent city land, and too little parking reason.com/2025/05/13/n...
Two New Jersey business owners are having their properties (a tire shop and a 4plex) taken by the city of Perth Amboy b/c both are allegedly blighted.
The city's evidence of blight? Its own mismapped property lines, litter on adjacent city land, and too little parking reason.com/2025/05/13/n...
The city's evidence of blight? Its own mismapped property lines, litter on adjacent city land, and too little parking reason.com/2025/05/13/n...
New Jersey town says small setbacks, stray cats allow it to seize private property
Business owners say the city of Perth Amboy is using exceedingly flimsy allegations to take their property.
reason.com
May 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Two New Jersey business owners are having their properties (a tire shop and a 4plex) taken by the city of Perth Amboy b/c both are allegedly blighted.
The city's evidence of blight? Its own mismapped property lines, litter on adjacent city land, and too little parking reason.com/2025/05/13/n...
The city's evidence of blight? Its own mismapped property lines, litter on adjacent city land, and too little parking reason.com/2025/05/13/n...
Pending the governor's approval, Montana will have made it legal to build six-story, market-rate apartments without parking in downtown commercial zones by-right. Meanwhile, some California lawmakers are still struggling with basic economic literacy. My latest newsletter: reason.com/2025/04/29/b...
Back to basics
Plus: California zoning bill survives powerful lawmaker's economic illiteracy, Montana legislators pass simple, sweeping, supply-side housing reforms, and Washington passes rent control.
reason.com
April 29, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Pending the governor's approval, Montana will have made it legal to build six-story, market-rate apartments without parking in downtown commercial zones by-right. Meanwhile, some California lawmakers are still struggling with basic economic literacy. My latest newsletter: reason.com/2025/04/29/b...
Hawaii Co. tells Shahzaad Ausman all permits are good to go on the house he's buying. A year later it says “oops the home has been illegal for decades. Move out or get fined.” Even after a court ruled his permits valid, Ausman tells me the county is still threatening fines reason.com/2025/04/15/h...
Hawaii County tells homeowner his 38-year-old house is actually illegal
Shahzaad Ausman has had to sue the county to confirm that he can continue to live in his own home.
reason.com
April 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Hawaii Co. tells Shahzaad Ausman all permits are good to go on the house he's buying. A year later it says “oops the home has been illegal for decades. Move out or get fined.” Even after a court ruled his permits valid, Ausman tells me the county is still threatening fines reason.com/2025/04/15/h...
This is wild
✅Developer proposes 254 affordable housing units
✅Town tells developer "actually we're gonna seize your land for a town hall"
✅Developer sues, saying this a sham taking
✅The town secretly transfers the property title to itself then tells developer to gtfo
reason.com/2025/03/18/t...
✅Developer proposes 254 affordable housing units
✅Town tells developer "actually we're gonna seize your land for a town hall"
✅Developer sues, saying this a sham taking
✅The town secretly transfers the property title to itself then tells developer to gtfo
reason.com/2025/03/18/t...
Town secretly seizes developers' property then threatens them with trespassing citation
Happy Tuesday and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week's newsletter focuses on some shocking updates to a Rhode Island eminent domain case
reason.com
March 20, 2025 at 12:42 AM
This is wild
✅Developer proposes 254 affordable housing units
✅Town tells developer "actually we're gonna seize your land for a town hall"
✅Developer sues, saying this a sham taking
✅The town secretly transfers the property title to itself then tells developer to gtfo
reason.com/2025/03/18/t...
✅Developer proposes 254 affordable housing units
✅Town tells developer "actually we're gonna seize your land for a town hall"
✅Developer sues, saying this a sham taking
✅The town secretly transfers the property title to itself then tells developer to gtfo
reason.com/2025/03/18/t...
The acronym makes no sense here
Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education (FURRIES) Act?
If it's unlawful, isn't it already forbidden? it bans representation of roleplaying, as opposed to just roleplaying? where does the 'S' come from?
Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education (FURRIES) Act?
If it's unlawful, isn't it already forbidden? it bans representation of roleplaying, as opposed to just roleplaying? where does the 'S' come from?
The "F.U.R.R.I.E.S ACT" bill from Stan Gerdes (R-Smithville) would prohibit "non-human behavior" in Texas schools, including but not limited to:
-Litterboxes
-Tails
-"Leashes, collars, other accessories designed for pets"
-"Barking, meowing, hissing, or other animal noises"
-"licking oneself"
-Litterboxes
-Tails
-"Leashes, collars, other accessories designed for pets"
-"Barking, meowing, hissing, or other animal noises"
-"licking oneself"
March 13, 2025 at 7:35 PM
The acronym makes no sense here
Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education (FURRIES) Act?
If it's unlawful, isn't it already forbidden? it bans representation of roleplaying, as opposed to just roleplaying? where does the 'S' come from?
Forbidding Unlawful Representation of Roleplaying in Education (FURRIES) Act?
If it's unlawful, isn't it already forbidden? it bans representation of roleplaying, as opposed to just roleplaying? where does the 'S' come from?
Obviously the feds shouldn't have power over local/state govts tolling their roads, but it is amusing that the Trump admin's rationale for yanking congestion pricing was that it was really just about funding transit, not traffic reduction and Hochul's message is this? Everyone involved is a clown
“The next time your train is delayed … I want you to think of this,” Hochul says, pulling out the graphic of Trump as king posted by the admin today.
February 19, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Obviously the feds shouldn't have power over local/state govts tolling their roads, but it is amusing that the Trump admin's rationale for yanking congestion pricing was that it was really just about funding transit, not traffic reduction and Hochul's message is this? Everyone involved is a clown
Gavin Newsom's latest "streamlining" order gives builders fake relief from rules requiring low-income housing destroyed in the L.A. fires be rebuilt as new affordable housing reason.com/2025/02/18/b...
Bad to worse
From insurance to affordable housing mandates, California's regulatory noose tightens over wildfire rebuilding efforts.
reason.com
February 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Gavin Newsom's latest "streamlining" order gives builders fake relief from rules requiring low-income housing destroyed in the L.A. fires be rebuilt as new affordable housing reason.com/2025/02/18/b...
Reposted by Christian Britschgi
Free markets give people want they want at the price they're willing and able to pay. It's a setup that respects people's freedom while sorting out their preferences in the aggregate. - @christianb.bsky.social
reason.com/2025/02/11/w...
reason.com/2025/02/11/w...
February 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Free markets give people want they want at the price they're willing and able to pay. It's a setup that respects people's freedom while sorting out their preferences in the aggregate. - @christianb.bsky.social
reason.com/2025/02/11/w...
reason.com/2025/02/11/w...