The YIMBY-Libertarian Convergence
An eminent domain case out of Rhode Island shows how YIMBY regulatory reforms and libertarian constitutional law activism work in tandem.
Housing Policy
Federal Court Rules Against Rhode Island Town's Use of Eminent Domain for NIMBY Purposes
The local government sought to use eminent domain to block a housing project local NIMBYs objected to.
New NYU Brennan Center Article on "Using State Constitutions to Combat Exclusionary Zoning"
It explains how to better use both existing state constitutional provisions, and constitutional amendments. Based on a longer academic article, coauthored with Joshua Braver.
Federal Court Slaps Down Rhode Island Town's Surprise Seizure of Family's Land
A district court ruled that Johnston, Rhode Island, can't use its own bespoke eminent domain process to block an affordable housing development.
New Article on "The State Constitutional Case Against Exclusionary Zoning"
It is the first comprehensive analysis of how to use state constitutional law to combat exclusionary zoning. Coauthored with Josh Braver.
A Year After the Wildfires, L.A. Homelessness Spikes
Plus: A new lawsuit challenges New York's rent freeze, a study affirms new supply helps everyone, and the battle between data centers and clouded leopards.
For Thousands of New York City Apartment Buildings, the Math Doesn't Math
This year’s rent freeze is just the latest regulation pushing New York City’s rent-stabilized housing stock toward financial and physical collapse.
The DSA, MAGA, and the New Policy Nihilism
From rent control and Medicare for All to tariffs, politicians left and right are embracing policy ideas that have been repeatedly shown to not work.
When Is a Park Fee Unconstitutional?
Plus: San Francisco slashes affordable housing mandates, wide support for streamlining environmental review, and Mamdani's rent ripoff report.
Mamdani's Zombie Apartment Nightmare
New York’s rent freeze will turn more rent-stabilized units into unlivable “zombie apartments.”
Taking the W
Developers rush to use California's new apartments-near-transit law, North Carolina eliminates parking requirements, and the federal housing bill finally becomes law.
Did Lindsey Graham Push Trump Toward War?
Plus: Trump's escalating war with Iran, the bipartisan congressional housing bill, and Graham Platner's campaign collapse
Europe, A.C., and the Housing Exception to America's Economic Success Story
Plus: L.A. criminally charges contractors offering to build an ADU in the Palisades, South Carolina streamlines squatter removal, and a Florida city uses eminent domain to thwart state housing law.
Reason Earns 7 Southern California Journalism Awards
First-place wins include work on America's gerontocracy, an interview with anti–death penalty activist Helen Prejean, and some Star Wars comedy.
Housing Villains
Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani both do their bit to sabotage healthy housing policy.
Is Socialism Going Mainstream?
Plus: the DSA's policy agenda, Trump's chaotic Iran strategy, and America's 250th birthday
Mamdani Got His Rent Freeze Wish. Don't Expect New York City Housing To Become More Affordable.
The NYC Rent Guidelines Board voted to freeze rent for approximately 1 million apartments on Thursday night.
Cato Institute Podcast on Possible "Abundance Alliance" Between Libertarians and Abundance Liberals
I took part along with prominent abundance liberalism advocate Jeremiah Johnson.
The Housing Bill Trump Won't Sign
Plus: Mamdani's rent freeze, Darializa's "no jail for murderers" stance, inflation ticks up, and more...
Supreme Court Issues Terrible Takings Decision in Pung v. Isabella County
The Court ruled that local goverments may pay compensation far below fair market value for property seized in tax foreclosures.
Who Can't Afford Food?
Plus: Iran deal, J.D. Vance on morality, L.A. hemorrhages population, and more...
Pick Your YIMBY
The D.C. mayoral race offers two leading candidates who are saying a lot of the right things about housing supply.
My New Washington Post Op ed on NYC Mayor Mamdani's Unconstitutional Housing Policy
His plan to expropriate rental housing violates the Takings Clause, and would exacerbate the City's housing crisis rather than alleviate it.
Streamlining and Taxes
New York lawmakers exempt some housing from the state's environmental review law while piling taxes on second homes.
California Conservatives Champion 'Local Control' Until They Dislike the Results
Conservatives want local control over housing policy, but they're happy to let the state restrict when local governments can raise taxes.
Fewer Migrants, Fewer Homeless
The rare reported fall in the nation's homeless population is mostly the result of the ebbing migrant surge of 2023 and 2024.
Stop Giving Property Tax Breaks to Senior Citizens
If the government does not reduce the cost of public services, then a special tax break for one group merely forces everyone else to pick up the slack.
5 Bills Signed by Wes Moore That Will Impact Housing and AI Development in Maryland
Couched with good intentions, new laws aimed at housing and artificial intelligence development will add more layers of red tape to Maryland’s growing bureaucracy.
A Reprieve for Build-To-Rent
The House passes a housing bill that protects build-to-rent development while still cracking down on large investors.
Thomas Massie Falls, 'Samurai vs. Squatters,' Jeff Bezos
Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi discuss Rep. Thomas Massie's defeat, Jeff Bezos' comments on taxes, and squatters in California.
Matt Yglesias on Libertarianism, Abundance Liberalism, and a Possible Alliance Between the Two
Yglesias supports an alliance and has key points of agreement with libertarians, but also criticisms of libertarianism. I welcome former and respond to the latter.
What I Learned Shadowing California's Katana-Wielding Anti-Squatter Enforcers
California's failure to eject squatters from the properties they've seized undermines the state's new housing laws.
Samurai vs. Squatters: On the Street With the Hired Swords Reclaiming California Property Owners' Stolen Homes
California has failed to protect private property from squatters. Desperate owners are turning to katana-wielding enforcers to reclaim their homes.
Reason Receives 17 Nominations for Southern California Journalism Awards
Nominees include stories on America's gerontocracy, the war on chocolate, how Texas beat California on housing, and more.
The Need for Prick-Proof Housing Laws
Plus: the damage done by inclusionary zoning, total YIMBY victory at California gubernatorial forum, and Trump's reversion of build-to-rent
Why the Bipartisan War on Housing Investors Won't Make Housing More Affordable
Politicians on the left and right are increasingly blaming large investors for raising home prices. Here's why they're wrong.
Is the California Coastal Commission Finally Losing Some of Its Regulatory Powers?
The commission has tormented property owners and localities ever since it was created in 1976. Finally, legislative and legal efforts are undoing some of its abuses.
Important Takings Challenge to Los Angeles Historic Preservation Law "Monument" Designation
Historic preservation laws often violate constitutional property rights, and block construction of new housing.
The People vs. CEQA
An initiative that would streamline California's development-killing environmental review law appears to be headed to the ballot.
Even Laws That Haven't Passed Can Have Unintended Consequences
Mere proposals can change the risk calculus for business and investors. Politicians, and the public, should be wary.
Historic Taking
The owners of the house that Marilyn Monroe died in claim in a lawsuit that the city took their property when it landmarked it.
Two Cheers for Abundance Liberalism
This emerging school of thought has its flaws. But it's a potentially valuable ally for libertarians and other free market advocates.
The Gem State Shines on Zoning Reform
What Idaho's slew of zoning reforms says about YIMBY politics and policymaking in the states.
