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
Katie Wilson is leading in the Seattle mayor's race!
November 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Katie Wilson is leading in the Seattle mayor's race!
US mortgages at 30 years are already at the high end compared to other wealthy countries, which are more likely to have 20 to 25 year terms. www.oecd.org/content/dam/... Every year the mortgage term is extended, the more interest the household is paying.
November 9, 2025 at 3:05 AM
US mortgages at 30 years are already at the high end compared to other wealthy countries, which are more likely to have 20 to 25 year terms. www.oecd.org/content/dam/... Every year the mortgage term is extended, the more interest the household is paying.
The @rpa.org has a really good report on reduced transit fares for low-income households across the country.
Unfortunately, these programs do not enroll all the people who are theoretically qualified to use them.
The report recommends implementing auto-enrollment practices rpa.org/work/reports...
Unfortunately, these programs do not enroll all the people who are theoretically qualified to use them.
The report recommends implementing auto-enrollment practices rpa.org/work/reports...
November 9, 2025 at 12:46 AM
The @rpa.org has a really good report on reduced transit fares for low-income households across the country.
Unfortunately, these programs do not enroll all the people who are theoretically qualified to use them.
The report recommends implementing auto-enrollment practices rpa.org/work/reports...
Unfortunately, these programs do not enroll all the people who are theoretically qualified to use them.
The report recommends implementing auto-enrollment practices rpa.org/work/reports...
In Jersey City, it's a tight race, but James Solomon is currently leading former NJ governor Jim McGreevey.
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
In Jersey City, it's a tight race, but James Solomon is currently leading former NJ governor Jim McGreevey.
(Almost) everyone wants New York City to finally have a single digital map
November 5, 2025 at 2:50 AM
(Almost) everyone wants New York City to finally have a single digital map
The conclusion of one of the most remarkable series of events in US political history, I'd say.
November 5, 2025 at 2:46 AM
The conclusion of one of the most remarkable series of events in US political history, I'd say.
An update on Columbus' bond issues: all look headed for passage, having gained support after the initial results.
November 5, 2025 at 2:36 AM
An update on Columbus' bond issues: all look headed for passage, having gained support after the initial results.
Results for Denver ballot issue 2E: $60 million for housing and shelters, up with 63% of the vote.
November 5, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Results for Denver ballot issue 2E: $60 million for housing and shelters, up with 63% of the vote.
Initial results in NYC: Mamdani up 52% to 40% for Cuomo
November 5, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Initial results in NYC: Mamdani up 52% to 40% for Cuomo
Just with early vote reporting, Charlotte's transportation sales tax referendum is currently up 55–45%. But I caution this is just the early vote!
November 5, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Just with early vote reporting, Charlotte's transportation sales tax referendum is currently up 55–45%. But I caution this is just the early vote!
In Columbus, OH, initial results show all of the city's bond issues leading with 60–70% of the vote.
The neighborhood development bond issue would provide $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing.
The neighborhood development bond issue would provide $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing.
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 AM
In Columbus, OH, initial results show all of the city's bond issues leading with 60–70% of the vote.
The neighborhood development bond issue would provide $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing.
The neighborhood development bond issue would provide $500 million for neighborhood development and affordable housing.
Remember when Obama cancelled funds for NJ after Christie won governorship in 2009? Or when Biden cancelled funds for VA after Youngkin won in 2021?
You can’t remember that, because those things never happened.
What Trump threatens—cancelling funds because of election results—is unprecedented.
You can’t remember that, because those things never happened.
What Trump threatens—cancelling funds because of election results—is unprecedented.
November 3, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Remember when Obama cancelled funds for NJ after Christie won governorship in 2009? Or when Biden cancelled funds for VA after Youngkin won in 2021?
You can’t remember that, because those things never happened.
What Trump threatens—cancelling funds because of election results—is unprecedented.
You can’t remember that, because those things never happened.
What Trump threatens—cancelling funds because of election results—is unprecedented.
In the early 1980s, the typical household with an elderly householder had a net wealth similar to the national average. Now it's about 55% greater than the average. Meanwhile, young households now have substantially less comparative wealth than they had back then.
www.nber.org/papers/w34131
www.nber.org/papers/w34131
November 3, 2025 at 10:02 PM
In the early 1980s, the typical household with an elderly householder had a net wealth similar to the national average. Now it's about 55% greater than the average. Meanwhile, young households now have substantially less comparative wealth than they had back then.
www.nber.org/papers/w34131
www.nber.org/papers/w34131
In 1st 9 months of 2025, European battery-electric vehicles reached 18.1% market share. Hybrids account for 44.1%, leaving fossil-fuel-only cars accounting for only 37.9% of new car market. public.flourish.studio/story/234158...
US battery electric share is roughly 8% caredge.com/guides/elect...
US battery electric share is roughly 8% caredge.com/guides/elect...
October 30, 2025 at 3:03 PM
In 1st 9 months of 2025, European battery-electric vehicles reached 18.1% market share. Hybrids account for 44.1%, leaving fossil-fuel-only cars accounting for only 37.9% of new car market. public.flourish.studio/story/234158...
US battery electric share is roughly 8% caredge.com/guides/elect...
US battery electric share is roughly 8% caredge.com/guides/elect...
The US federal government's spending on housing—directly through the budget, or through tax expenditures—amounts to more than $400 billion a year.
Only about 1/4 of that goes to low-income renters. The majority is spent on subsidizing higher-income homeowners.
www.urban.org/research/pub...
Only about 1/4 of that goes to low-income renters. The majority is spent on subsidizing higher-income homeowners.
www.urban.org/research/pub...
October 30, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The US federal government's spending on housing—directly through the budget, or through tax expenditures—amounts to more than $400 billion a year.
Only about 1/4 of that goes to low-income renters. The majority is spent on subsidizing higher-income homeowners.
www.urban.org/research/pub...
Only about 1/4 of that goes to low-income renters. The majority is spent on subsidizing higher-income homeowners.
www.urban.org/research/pub...
We have associated this investigation with a brand-new database of public data sources to understand housing assistance in more detail.
We hope this can be a resource for folks to understand the federal government's full role in housing.
Check out all the work here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
We hope this can be a resource for folks to understand the federal government's full role in housing.
Check out all the work here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
October 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
We have associated this investigation with a brand-new database of public data sources to understand housing assistance in more detail.
We hope this can be a resource for folks to understand the federal government's full role in housing.
Check out all the work here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
We hope this can be a resource for folks to understand the federal government's full role in housing.
Check out all the work here: www.urban.org/research/pub...
Because of the wide breadth of federal housing programs, they support tens of millions of households every year. Only about 5 million of those are supported by HUD—other households are supported through low-interest loans & tax deductions.
October 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Because of the wide breadth of federal housing programs, they support tens of millions of households every year. Only about 5 million of those are supported by HUD—other households are supported through low-interest loans & tax deductions.
All-in-all, we estimate that the federal government spends ~$400 billion a year on housing-related expenditures, of which only about 1/4 is funded through HUD.
Most housing spending goes through the tax code, and supports benefit homeowners & investors to a greater degree than low-income families.
Most housing spending goes through the tax code, and supports benefit homeowners & investors to a greater degree than low-income families.
October 29, 2025 at 6:03 PM
All-in-all, we estimate that the federal government spends ~$400 billion a year on housing-related expenditures, of which only about 1/4 is funded through HUD.
Most housing spending goes through the tax code, and supports benefit homeowners & investors to a greater degree than low-income families.
Most housing spending goes through the tax code, and supports benefit homeowners & investors to a greater degree than low-income families.
We've released a new data tracking tool @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, enabling exploration of affordability metrics over time & by state in the US: www.urban.org/data-tools/a...
We also released a set of recommendations about how to address rising costs of living: www.urban.org/apps/policy-...
We also released a set of recommendations about how to address rising costs of living: www.urban.org/apps/policy-...
October 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
We've released a new data tracking tool @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, enabling exploration of affordability metrics over time & by state in the US: www.urban.org/data-tools/a...
We also released a set of recommendations about how to address rising costs of living: www.urban.org/apps/policy-...
We also released a set of recommendations about how to address rising costs of living: www.urban.org/apps/policy-...
An interesting investigation in @upshot.nytimes.com today evaluating some of the challenges to improving buses in NYC—whether through speed or fares www.nytimes.com/interactive/... (gift link!)
Interesting tidbit: Bus ridership is basically back to pre-pandemic levels—but fare payment is way down.
Interesting tidbit: Bus ridership is basically back to pre-pandemic levels—but fare payment is way down.
October 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
An interesting investigation in @upshot.nytimes.com today evaluating some of the challenges to improving buses in NYC—whether through speed or fares www.nytimes.com/interactive/... (gift link!)
Interesting tidbit: Bus ridership is basically back to pre-pandemic levels—but fare payment is way down.
Interesting tidbit: Bus ridership is basically back to pre-pandemic levels—but fare payment is way down.
This ballroom is going to be enormous www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
October 23, 2025 at 2:20 PM
This ballroom is going to be enormous www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
DCA airport convenience store. You got:
—the gay pride section on the right
—the Black Books Matter section on the left
—the Trump shirt on the discount rack (there’s a whole MAGA section not shown)
—the gay pride section on the right
—the Black Books Matter section on the left
—the Trump shirt on the discount rack (there’s a whole MAGA section not shown)
October 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
DCA airport convenience store. You got:
—the gay pride section on the right
—the Black Books Matter section on the left
—the Trump shirt on the discount rack (there’s a whole MAGA section not shown)
—the gay pride section on the right
—the Black Books Matter section on the left
—the Trump shirt on the discount rack (there’s a whole MAGA section not shown)
Now, Dems hold 7 of 33 US house seats (21%) across AL, LA, MS, SC & TN. Dems won 37% of 2024 presidential vote in those states.
Now Supreme Court may allow those states to eliminate >all< Dem seats by undermining the VRA www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Our democracy being chipped away, bit by bit.
Now Supreme Court may allow those states to eliminate >all< Dem seats by undermining the VRA www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Our democracy being chipped away, bit by bit.
October 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Now, Dems hold 7 of 33 US house seats (21%) across AL, LA, MS, SC & TN. Dems won 37% of 2024 presidential vote in those states.
Now Supreme Court may allow those states to eliminate >all< Dem seats by undermining the VRA www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Our democracy being chipped away, bit by bit.
Now Supreme Court may allow those states to eliminate >all< Dem seats by undermining the VRA www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Our democracy being chipped away, bit by bit.
Trump admin has frozen or cancelled $28 b for projects, almost all in Dem districts. Small amount of frozen funds in GOP districts are in predominately Dem states (CA, OR, WA, CO, MN, IL, NY, MD), or in predominately Dem cities (St Louis, Atlanta, Greenville) www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
October 14, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Trump admin has frozen or cancelled $28 b for projects, almost all in Dem districts. Small amount of frozen funds in GOP districts are in predominately Dem states (CA, OR, WA, CO, MN, IL, NY, MD), or in predominately Dem cities (St Louis, Atlanta, Greenville) www.nytimes.com/interactive/...