Russell McIntyre
@russellmcintyre.bsky.social
US Climate & Housing Policy
Senior Policy Analyst at Cotality
(views are my own)
Carolina sports, star wars, marvel, and memes
WNC / UNC '13 / GWU GSPM '16 / 📍DC
#greensky #climatesky #housing #urbanism
Senior Policy Analyst at Cotality
(views are my own)
Carolina sports, star wars, marvel, and memes
WNC / UNC '13 / GWU GSPM '16 / 📍DC
#greensky #climatesky #housing #urbanism
"One reason we don’t build enough affordable housing is we’ve made affordable housing unaffordable to build."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
November 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
"One reason we don’t build enough affordable housing is we’ve made affordable housing unaffordable to build."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
The shutdown is bringing our housing market to a standstill and this is what HUD chooses to post on their front page today... 🤦♂️😒
October 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The shutdown is bringing our housing market to a standstill and this is what HUD chooses to post on their front page today... 🤦♂️😒
the next housing crisis isn't just around the corner... it's already here.
September 9, 2025 at 1:10 PM
the next housing crisis isn't just around the corner... it's already here.
How... how did this take three weeks? Shoulda been day one. 🤦♂
September 4, 2025 at 3:47 PM
How... how did this take three weeks? Shoulda been day one. 🤦♂
Spent the afternoon surrounded by thousands of loud people all dressed in black and yellow.
Must've been a gang thing.
Must've been a gang thing.
August 12, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Spent the afternoon surrounded by thousands of loud people all dressed in black and yellow.
Must've been a gang thing.
Must've been a gang thing.
The fact that they got invited to the White House on Friday and THESE were the things they advocated for...🤦♂️
July 2, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The fact that they got invited to the White House on Friday and THESE were the things they advocated for...🤦♂️
developers really said "oh yeah, baby, give me more of this"
April 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
developers really said "oh yeah, baby, give me more of this"
every time I see the Commanders color scheme I'm instantly transported to someone's grandmother's kitchen in 1972
April 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
every time I see the Commanders color scheme I'm instantly transported to someone's grandmother's kitchen in 1972
Housing is so unaffordable that people are flocking to government loans from FHA and VA for lower rates, down payments, etc.
These massive staffing cuts are going to make it more difficult to get a home loan and will further exacerbate the affordable housing epidemic in this country.
These massive staffing cuts are going to make it more difficult to get a home loan and will further exacerbate the affordable housing epidemic in this country.
March 6, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Housing is so unaffordable that people are flocking to government loans from FHA and VA for lower rates, down payments, etc.
These massive staffing cuts are going to make it more difficult to get a home loan and will further exacerbate the affordable housing epidemic in this country.
These massive staffing cuts are going to make it more difficult to get a home loan and will further exacerbate the affordable housing epidemic in this country.
We put some numbers to this about a year-and-a-half ago, looking at the top 20 cities with the highest climate risk scores, and breaking out the difference between LMI and non-LMI.
January 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM
We put some numbers to this about a year-and-a-half ago, looking at the top 20 cities with the highest climate risk scores, and breaking out the difference between LMI and non-LMI.
Can't wait to see Democrats ruin this absolute gift of a messaging opportunity. 🤦♂️
January 28, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Can't wait to see Democrats ruin this absolute gift of a messaging opportunity. 🤦♂️
Wondering why homeowners insurance costs are going up?
Cause we can't stop moving to high risk areas.
Cause we can't stop moving to high risk areas.
January 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Wondering why homeowners insurance costs are going up?
Cause we can't stop moving to high risk areas.
Cause we can't stop moving to high risk areas.
We've got to stop expanding into the wildland-urban interface (WUI).
More than 16 million homes across the west have been built in this area.
More than 16 million homes across the west have been built in this area.
January 17, 2025 at 12:40 PM
We've got to stop expanding into the wildland-urban interface (WUI).
More than 16 million homes across the west have been built in this area.
More than 16 million homes across the west have been built in this area.
It's so frustrating. Congress has extended the NFIP 32 times just since 2017 with no serious attempts to actually address any of the underlying issues. 🤦♂️
January 15, 2025 at 4:47 PM
It's so frustrating. Congress has extended the NFIP 32 times just since 2017 with no serious attempts to actually address any of the underlying issues. 🤦♂️
All of this while CA homeowners actually pay slightly less in insurance premiums as a percent of their median income, compared to other states.
(not trying to belittle the pain some CA homeowners are currently feeling due to sharp price increases, just trying to put overall costs in perspective).
(not trying to belittle the pain some CA homeowners are currently feeling due to sharp price increases, just trying to put overall costs in perspective).
January 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
All of this while CA homeowners actually pay slightly less in insurance premiums as a percent of their median income, compared to other states.
(not trying to belittle the pain some CA homeowners are currently feeling due to sharp price increases, just trying to put overall costs in perspective).
(not trying to belittle the pain some CA homeowners are currently feeling due to sharp price increases, just trying to put overall costs in perspective).
Price caps have also limited the ability of private insurers to operate in CA.
While I do not enjoy defending insurance companies, in this one particular instance of climate risk in CA, they have a point, as they've incurred net losses in all but one year since 2018.
(a ratio >100 means net loss)
While I do not enjoy defending insurance companies, in this one particular instance of climate risk in CA, they have a point, as they've incurred net losses in all but one year since 2018.
(a ratio >100 means net loss)
January 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Price caps have also limited the ability of private insurers to operate in CA.
While I do not enjoy defending insurance companies, in this one particular instance of climate risk in CA, they have a point, as they've incurred net losses in all but one year since 2018.
(a ratio >100 means net loss)
While I do not enjoy defending insurance companies, in this one particular instance of climate risk in CA, they have a point, as they've incurred net losses in all but one year since 2018.
(a ratio >100 means net loss)
‼️ New LA Fire data via this morning's daily operations call from FEMA.
Number of completely destroyed homes in Palisades almost doubled from yesterday (604 --> 1,082).
Total number of homes completely destroyed in both the Palisades and Eaton Fires is now up to 2,944.
Number of completely destroyed homes in Palisades almost doubled from yesterday (604 --> 1,082).
Total number of homes completely destroyed in both the Palisades and Eaton Fires is now up to 2,944.
January 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
‼️ New LA Fire data via this morning's daily operations call from FEMA.
Number of completely destroyed homes in Palisades almost doubled from yesterday (604 --> 1,082).
Total number of homes completely destroyed in both the Palisades and Eaton Fires is now up to 2,944.
Number of completely destroyed homes in Palisades almost doubled from yesterday (604 --> 1,082).
Total number of homes completely destroyed in both the Palisades and Eaton Fires is now up to 2,944.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading.
Here's a picture of Benji enjoying the snow. 🐶
Here's a picture of Benji enjoying the snow. 🐶
January 13, 2025 at 10:14 PM
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading.
Here's a picture of Benji enjoying the snow. 🐶
Here's a picture of Benji enjoying the snow. 🐶
We're seeing a worst case scenario wildfire event for the CA FAIR Plan.
In the main Pacific Palisades zip code alone, the FAIR Plan saw an 85% increase in policyholders from 2023 to 2024.
In the main Pacific Palisades zip code alone, the FAIR Plan saw an 85% increase in policyholders from 2023 to 2024.
January 13, 2025 at 8:43 PM
We're seeing a worst case scenario wildfire event for the CA FAIR Plan.
In the main Pacific Palisades zip code alone, the FAIR Plan saw an 85% increase in policyholders from 2023 to 2024.
In the main Pacific Palisades zip code alone, the FAIR Plan saw an 85% increase in policyholders from 2023 to 2024.
The numbers from FEMA's daily operations call this morning paint a dire picture.
Almost all of the reported 1000+ destroyed homes are from the Eaton Fire.
But if the pictures we've seen from the Palisades Fire are any indication, that total number is going to rise drastically in the coming days.
Almost all of the reported 1000+ destroyed homes are from the Eaton Fire.
But if the pictures we've seen from the Palisades Fire are any indication, that total number is going to rise drastically in the coming days.
January 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
The numbers from FEMA's daily operations call this morning paint a dire picture.
Almost all of the reported 1000+ destroyed homes are from the Eaton Fire.
But if the pictures we've seen from the Palisades Fire are any indication, that total number is going to rise drastically in the coming days.
Almost all of the reported 1000+ destroyed homes are from the Eaton Fire.
But if the pictures we've seen from the Palisades Fire are any indication, that total number is going to rise drastically in the coming days.
Last March, California FAIR Plan execs said they were one major event away from being unable to pay claims and having to levy an assessment on insurance companies.
That event is here.
Pacific Palisades alone has ~$6B in exposure, while the FAIR Plan has <$1B in combined capital/cash on hand.
That event is here.
Pacific Palisades alone has ~$6B in exposure, while the FAIR Plan has <$1B in combined capital/cash on hand.
January 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Last March, California FAIR Plan execs said they were one major event away from being unable to pay claims and having to levy an assessment on insurance companies.
That event is here.
Pacific Palisades alone has ~$6B in exposure, while the FAIR Plan has <$1B in combined capital/cash on hand.
That event is here.
Pacific Palisades alone has ~$6B in exposure, while the FAIR Plan has <$1B in combined capital/cash on hand.
Getting into it
January 6, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Getting into it
Despite some initial skepticism, I think Benji enjoyed his (first?) snow time. 🐶❄️
January 6, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Despite some initial skepticism, I think Benji enjoyed his (first?) snow time. 🐶❄️
If you read this far down my 13-part insurance crisis post, thank you.
Here is cute puppers for reward.
Here is cute puppers for reward.
January 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
If you read this far down my 13-part insurance crisis post, thank you.
Here is cute puppers for reward.
Here is cute puppers for reward.
As you said, we know hazards are getting more frequent and severe due to climate change.
Unfortunately, we're also increasing exposure by moving into high risk areas.
And our lack of action to protect LMI communities is further increasing their vulnerability, which was already higher to begin with
Unfortunately, we're also increasing exposure by moving into high risk areas.
And our lack of action to protect LMI communities is further increasing their vulnerability, which was already higher to begin with
December 18, 2024 at 1:25 PM
As you said, we know hazards are getting more frequent and severe due to climate change.
Unfortunately, we're also increasing exposure by moving into high risk areas.
And our lack of action to protect LMI communities is further increasing their vulnerability, which was already higher to begin with
Unfortunately, we're also increasing exposure by moving into high risk areas.
And our lack of action to protect LMI communities is further increasing their vulnerability, which was already higher to begin with