Alex Armlovich
@aarmlovi.bsky.social
Housing Program Officer, Abundance & Growth Fund @ CG | Sr. Fellow @niskanencenter🏗️ | Urban Econ 🌐🔰🚋 | @worksinprogress contributor | @opennyforall member | @yimbytown alum | former @cbcny |
Legalize housing. Tax land. End poverty with cash
Legalize housing. Tax land. End poverty with cash
AI discourse is hard because nobody wants to make fun of the next steam engine
But also the "Nothing ever happens meme" did actually work for the first 50y of the Industrial Revolution--the "Engel's Pause" in wages convinced early Marxists that capitalism might never raise wages above subsistence
But also the "Nothing ever happens meme" did actually work for the first 50y of the Industrial Revolution--the "Engel's Pause" in wages convinced early Marxists that capitalism might never raise wages above subsistence
February 18, 2026 at 1:11 PM
AI discourse is hard because nobody wants to make fun of the next steam engine
But also the "Nothing ever happens meme" did actually work for the first 50y of the Industrial Revolution--the "Engel's Pause" in wages convinced early Marxists that capitalism might never raise wages above subsistence
But also the "Nothing ever happens meme" did actually work for the first 50y of the Industrial Revolution--the "Engel's Pause" in wages convinced early Marxists that capitalism might never raise wages above subsistence
Great analysis here from @edmendoza.bsky.social & @pewresearch.org correcting a poorly framed Georgetown report
New housing construction moderates Class C rents the most!
<60%AMI families will always need income supports
But YIMBYism helps all incomes
www.metroabundance.org/adding-more-...
New housing construction moderates Class C rents the most!
<60%AMI families will always need income supports
But YIMBYism helps all incomes
www.metroabundance.org/adding-more-...
February 17, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Great analysis here from @edmendoza.bsky.social & @pewresearch.org correcting a poorly framed Georgetown report
New housing construction moderates Class C rents the most!
<60%AMI families will always need income supports
But YIMBYism helps all incomes
www.metroabundance.org/adding-more-...
New housing construction moderates Class C rents the most!
<60%AMI families will always need income supports
But YIMBYism helps all incomes
www.metroabundance.org/adding-more-...
The good news on housing supply is that 485x, unlike 421a, exempts new supply from HSTPA
If that hadn't happened, we'd be looking at a St Paul-like crash in housing construction as uncertainty & equity risk premia blow out
There are real risks here! But there's also a team
If that hadn't happened, we'd be looking at a St Paul-like crash in housing construction as uncertainty & equity risk premia blow out
There are real risks here! But there's also a team
February 17, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The good news on housing supply is that 485x, unlike 421a, exempts new supply from HSTPA
If that hadn't happened, we'd be looking at a St Paul-like crash in housing construction as uncertainty & equity risk premia blow out
There are real risks here! But there's also a team
If that hadn't happened, we'd be looking at a St Paul-like crash in housing construction as uncertainty & equity risk premia blow out
There are real risks here! But there's also a team
As a city government nerd, it was a bucket list honor to have an office at 1 Centre St
But I'm excited to focus now on housing supply reform in my new role!
I have full confidence in @mayor.nyc.gov's pick for Deputy Mayor for Housing to navigate NYC's looming challenges & opportunities in housing
But I'm excited to focus now on housing supply reform in my new role!
I have full confidence in @mayor.nyc.gov's pick for Deputy Mayor for Housing to navigate NYC's looming challenges & opportunities in housing
NEW: @aarmlovi.bsky.social resigned from the Rent Guidelines Board today.
This gives @mayor.nyc.gov a total of six seats to play with on the nine-member board. His appointments could deliver his promise of a rent freeze for a million rent-stabilized apartments.
www.thecity.nyc/2026/02/17/r...
This gives @mayor.nyc.gov a total of six seats to play with on the nine-member board. His appointments could deliver his promise of a rent freeze for a million rent-stabilized apartments.
www.thecity.nyc/2026/02/17/r...
Rent Board Resignation Clears Path for Mamdani Rent Freeze Promise
The new mayor is now able to appoint a majority to the Rent Guidelines Board, giving him the numbers for a signature campaign promise.
www.thecity.nyc
February 17, 2026 at 6:43 PM
As a city government nerd, it was a bucket list honor to have an office at 1 Centre St
But I'm excited to focus now on housing supply reform in my new role!
I have full confidence in @mayor.nyc.gov's pick for Deputy Mayor for Housing to navigate NYC's looming challenges & opportunities in housing
But I'm excited to focus now on housing supply reform in my new role!
I have full confidence in @mayor.nyc.gov's pick for Deputy Mayor for Housing to navigate NYC's looming challenges & opportunities in housing
-Boston has one of the planet's worst housing shortages
-Boston is still <1950 population; has vast spare infrastructure capacity
-Boston has a giant empty lot next to the train
-Boston has 3000 units of spare federal Faircloth funding for new public housing
=>Yet they're still doing nothing 🤷♂️
-Boston is still <1950 population; has vast spare infrastructure capacity
-Boston has a giant empty lot next to the train
-Boston has 3000 units of spare federal Faircloth funding for new public housing
=>Yet they're still doing nothing 🤷♂️
February 14, 2026 at 9:13 PM
-Boston has one of the planet's worst housing shortages
-Boston is still <1950 population; has vast spare infrastructure capacity
-Boston has a giant empty lot next to the train
-Boston has 3000 units of spare federal Faircloth funding for new public housing
=>Yet they're still doing nothing 🤷♂️
-Boston is still <1950 population; has vast spare infrastructure capacity
-Boston has a giant empty lot next to the train
-Boston has 3000 units of spare federal Faircloth funding for new public housing
=>Yet they're still doing nothing 🤷♂️
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
Michelle Wu seems like kind of a disaster for housing in Boston – very little progress on land use reforms, and supporting a quite draconian statewide rent control regime (rent hikes that can be below inflation, vacancy controls, only a 10-year exemption for new construction)? Yikes
Wu Backs Rent Control, Rejects Citywide Rezoning
Boston's mayor threw her support behind a ballot question legalizing rent control, while rejecting any moves to legalize denser housing in single-family districts.
bankerandtradesman.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Michelle Wu seems like kind of a disaster for housing in Boston – very little progress on land use reforms, and supporting a quite draconian statewide rent control regime (rent hikes that can be below inflation, vacancy controls, only a 10-year exemption for new construction)? Yikes
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
The rent is too damn high! Tomorrow night FPI chief economist @emmurpheis.bsky.social joins @aarmlovi.bsky.social and Sam Mellins at Judson Memorial Church to discuss housing under Mamdani
What will it take to turn Mayor Mamdani’s campaign promises into policy?
Join us for a housing policy discussion this Thursday, February 12. Get tickets here:
nysfocus.com/turning-plat...
Join us for a housing policy discussion this Thursday, February 12. Get tickets here:
nysfocus.com/turning-plat...
The Next New York
New York's only statewide newsroom dedicated to holding Albany accountable.
nysfocus.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The rent is too damn high! Tomorrow night FPI chief economist @emmurpheis.bsky.social joins @aarmlovi.bsky.social and Sam Mellins at Judson Memorial Church to discuss housing under Mamdani
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
Proportional representation systems can't be gerrymandered. Don't believe me? Give it a try!
I made a gerrymandering simulator with an imaginary state under either single-member districts or multi-member proportional districts.
How much can YOU gerrymander?
claude.ai/public/artif...
I made a gerrymandering simulator with an imaginary state under either single-member districts or multi-member proportional districts.
How much can YOU gerrymander?
claude.ai/public/artif...
Gerrymander Game: Interactive Electoral Districts Tool
Learn how gerrymandering affects elections. Interactive game comparing single-member vs multi-member districts with real-time seat allocation results.
claude.ai
January 17, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Proportional representation systems can't be gerrymandered. Don't believe me? Give it a try!
I made a gerrymandering simulator with an imaginary state under either single-member districts or multi-member proportional districts.
How much can YOU gerrymander?
claude.ai/public/artif...
I made a gerrymandering simulator with an imaginary state under either single-member districts or multi-member proportional districts.
How much can YOU gerrymander?
claude.ai/public/artif...
After Gov Hochul rescued the MTA, I was working on an op-ed on how (once congestion pricing launched) she was the most pro-transit governor in the country
The congestion pricing pause came in the middle of edits. I "paused" the op-ed, but I didn't lose faith or go nuclear etc. I knew we'd be back
The congestion pricing pause came in the middle of edits. I "paused" the op-ed, but I didn't lose faith or go nuclear etc. I knew we'd be back
For what it’s worth @aarmlovi.bsky.social was on this beat before the congestion pricing “pause”
January 14, 2026 at 12:49 PM
After Gov Hochul rescued the MTA, I was working on an op-ed on how (once congestion pricing launched) she was the most pro-transit governor in the country
The congestion pricing pause came in the middle of edits. I "paused" the op-ed, but I didn't lose faith or go nuclear etc. I knew we'd be back
The congestion pricing pause came in the middle of edits. I "paused" the op-ed, but I didn't lose faith or go nuclear etc. I knew we'd be back
Whatever else is happening in politics, I want to note that Sen Warren has been a great advocate of housing abundance
It's been my pleasure to work with her staff as they've co-developed the Build Now Act with Sen Kennedy—with endorsement by Ed Glaeser himself!—in Sen Scott's ROAD package
It's been my pleasure to work with her staff as they've co-developed the Build Now Act with Sen Kennedy—with endorsement by Ed Glaeser himself!—in Sen Scott's ROAD package
Donald Trump called me today.
It's long past time to deliver lower costs for working people.
It's long past time to deliver lower costs for working people.
January 12, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Whatever else is happening in politics, I want to note that Sen Warren has been a great advocate of housing abundance
It's been my pleasure to work with her staff as they've co-developed the Build Now Act with Sen Kennedy—with endorsement by Ed Glaeser himself!—in Sen Scott's ROAD package
It's been my pleasure to work with her staff as they've co-developed the Build Now Act with Sen Kennedy—with endorsement by Ed Glaeser himself!—in Sen Scott's ROAD package
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
I took two trains at 3:30-4 on Wednesday that were so crowded that people got left on the platform. The MTA absolutely should not be placing any more orders for new trains that are not open gangway, the trains are way too crowded for them to drag their feet like this.
There were 4,603,859 subway rides on Wednesday, which is a new post-pandemic record. Slowly, we’re approaching 4,697,122 rides from March 11, 2020 which was the last moment 4.6 million people rode the subway before things fell off a cliff
December 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I took two trains at 3:30-4 on Wednesday that were so crowded that people got left on the platform. The MTA absolutely should not be placing any more orders for new trains that are not open gangway, the trains are way too crowded for them to drag their feet like this.
One regret: I wish I'd searched law literature for cites on how STV solves Voting Rights Acts electoral minority inclusion *and* avoids the toxic district-based remedy that California has (disastrously) pursued
I treated it as common knowledge but it needs proof & there are great cites!
I treated it as common knowledge but it needs proof & there are great cites!
December 3, 2025 at 8:59 PM
One regret: I wish I'd searched law literature for cites on how STV solves Voting Rights Acts electoral minority inclusion *and* avoids the toxic district-based remedy that California has (disastrously) pursued
I treated it as common knowledge but it needs proof & there are great cites!
I treated it as common knowledge but it needs proof & there are great cites!
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
My colleagues @awjustus.bsky.social and @aarmlovi.bsky.social have a new article out connecting electoral design to local housing politics. They show how proportional representation in Cambridge has sidestepped the pitfalls of both district based and traditional first-past-the-post councils
How a 1940 electoral system reform in Cambridge made its 2025 housing breakthrough possible - CommonWealth Beacon
This is more than just a housing “win.” It’s a triumph for Cambridge’s unique brand of representative democracy—one that balances citywide priorities with fair representation for diverse communities.
commonwealthbeacon.org
December 1, 2025 at 4:48 AM
My colleagues @awjustus.bsky.social and @aarmlovi.bsky.social have a new article out connecting electoral design to local housing politics. They show how proportional representation in Cambridge has sidestepped the pitfalls of both district based and traditional first-past-the-post councils
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
One Weird Trick to defeat councilmanic prerogative
You may've heard that at-large city councils represent citywide interests but violate the Voting Rights Act, dooming us to single member wards with "member deference"
But!
Cambridge's "Single Transferable Vote" system, a type of citywide RCV, eliminates member deference without violating VRA!!
But!
Cambridge's "Single Transferable Vote" system, a type of citywide RCV, eliminates member deference without violating VRA!!
@aarmlovi.bsky.social coming in and writing about Cambridge like he got a degree at the K school or something.
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/how-...
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/how-...
December 1, 2025 at 4:37 AM
One Weird Trick to defeat councilmanic prerogative
You may've heard that at-large city councils represent citywide interests but violate the Voting Rights Act, dooming us to single member wards with "member deference"
But!
Cambridge's "Single Transferable Vote" system, a type of citywide RCV, eliminates member deference without violating VRA!!
But!
Cambridge's "Single Transferable Vote" system, a type of citywide RCV, eliminates member deference without violating VRA!!
@aarmlovi.bsky.social coming in and writing about Cambridge like he got a degree at the K school or something.
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/how-...
commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/how-...
How a 1940 electoral system reform in Cambridge made its 2025 housing breakthrough possible - CommonWealth Beacon
This is more than just a housing “win.” It’s a triumph for Cambridge’s unique brand of representative democracy—one that balances citywide priorities with fair representation for diverse communities.
commonwealthbeacon.org
December 1, 2025 at 3:47 AM
You may've heard that at-large city councils represent citywide interests but violate the Voting Rights Act, dooming us to single member wards with "member deference"
But!
Cambridge's "Single Transferable Vote" system, a type of citywide RCV, eliminates member deference without violating VRA!!
But!
Cambridge's "Single Transferable Vote" system, a type of citywide RCV, eliminates member deference without violating VRA!!
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
wonder if mamdani tried to single stair pill him
single stair, folks. you’re hearing it more and more. single stair. it’s a beautiful term. makes wonderful homes - and we love a lot of beautiful, affordable homes. i think i probably just coined it. i’m not sure. but you’re hearing it more and more.
single stair, folks. you’re hearing it more and more. single stair. it’s a beautiful term. makes wonderful homes - and we love a lot of beautiful, affordable homes. i think i probably just coined it. i’m not sure. but you’re hearing it more and more.
November 21, 2025 at 9:22 PM
wonder if mamdani tried to single stair pill him
single stair, folks. you’re hearing it more and more. single stair. it’s a beautiful term. makes wonderful homes - and we love a lot of beautiful, affordable homes. i think i probably just coined it. i’m not sure. but you’re hearing it more and more.
single stair, folks. you’re hearing it more and more. single stair. it’s a beautiful term. makes wonderful homes - and we love a lot of beautiful, affordable homes. i think i probably just coined it. i’m not sure. but you’re hearing it more and more.
Excited to share I'm joining @openphil.bsky.social under @mattsclancy.bsky.social as the housing program officer for the Abundance & Growth Fund!
Launching Niskanen's housing team has been a blast, & I'll remain a Senior Fellow with them
But I'm thrilled to start supporting housers everywhere!
Launching Niskanen's housing team has been a blast, & I'll remain a Senior Fellow with them
But I'm thrilled to start supporting housers everywhere!
November 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Excited to share I'm joining @openphil.bsky.social under @mattsclancy.bsky.social as the housing program officer for the Abundance & Growth Fund!
Launching Niskanen's housing team has been a blast, & I'll remain a Senior Fellow with them
But I'm thrilled to start supporting housers everywhere!
Launching Niskanen's housing team has been a blast, & I'll remain a Senior Fellow with them
But I'm thrilled to start supporting housers everywhere!
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
Thanks to @stefanoschen.bsky.social and @nytimes.com for picking up our report on global transit operations. It’s clear that the rest of the world has moved toward more automated and leaner operations without the sky falling. Legislating ops from Albany is overreach:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
Does the Subway Still Need Train Conductors?
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Thanks to @stefanoschen.bsky.social and @nytimes.com for picking up our report on global transit operations. It’s clear that the rest of the world has moved toward more automated and leaner operations without the sky falling. Legislating ops from Albany is overreach:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/n...
Getting texts that Paperboy Prince and Vickie Paladino have both QT'd my "end socialism for parking to fund social democratic liberalism for our children" tweet at length...but I can't see it bc of the huge Twitter 2FA glitch/outage
If you see something funny post it here 👀
If you see something funny post it here 👀
November 12, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Getting texts that Paperboy Prince and Vickie Paladino have both QT'd my "end socialism for parking to fund social democratic liberalism for our children" tweet at length...but I can't see it bc of the huge Twitter 2FA glitch/outage
If you see something funny post it here 👀
If you see something funny post it here 👀
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
@aarmlovi.bsky.social is right. R12 next to the subway is the way to NYC’s next million people.
November 12, 2025 at 9:48 PM
@aarmlovi.bsky.social is right. R12 next to the subway is the way to NYC’s next million people.
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
A really good column on housing and the Mamdani mayoralty by Alex Armlovich, who is on the Rent Board -- www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
Vital City | A Housing Roadmap for New York’s Next Mayor
How Mayor-elect Mamdani can rise to the central challenge facing the city
www.vitalcitynyc.org
November 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
A really good column on housing and the Mamdani mayoralty by Alex Armlovich, who is on the Rent Board -- www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
One way to reduce condo defect liability: stop forcing architects to design buildings that leak. HCD’s “objective design standards” guide *encourages* making building envelopes more complex, heightening leak and therefore defect lawsuit risk cao-94612.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/documents/Ap...
November 7, 2025 at 2:42 AM
One way to reduce condo defect liability: stop forcing architects to design buildings that leak. HCD’s “objective design standards” guide *encourages* making building envelopes more complex, heightening leak and therefore defect lawsuit risk cao-94612.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/documents/Ap...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
The marquee Mamdani policy, 4 years of 'freeze the rent', will take a lot to pull off. Here, @aarmlovi.bsky.social lays out the playbook of what it will take to get his vote (he serves on the Rent Guidelines Board that will vote on Mamdani's agenda)
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
November 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The marquee Mamdani policy, 4 years of 'freeze the rent', will take a lot to pull off. Here, @aarmlovi.bsky.social lays out the playbook of what it will take to get his vote (he serves on the Rent Guidelines Board that will vote on Mamdani's agenda)
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
This is a must-read from @aarmlovi.bsky.social. A real path for substantial expansion of housing and transit in the city that can deliver on the promises of @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
Vital City | A Housing Roadmap for New York’s Next Mayor
How Mayor-elect Mamdani can rise to the central challenge facing the city
www.vitalcitynyc.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This is a must-read from @aarmlovi.bsky.social. A real path for substantial expansion of housing and transit in the city that can deliver on the promises of @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/a-h...
Reposted by Alex Armlovich
Calling all NYC lovers and nerds: REALLY interesting conversation about housing. Even I — who has been following NYC housing since I wrote papers in college about it 40 years ago — learned a lot. Interesting ideas. LISTEN!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Alex Armlovich on the Rent Guidelines Board, Mamdani's Rent Freeze Pledge, & Housing Policy
Podcast Episode · Max Politics · 10/28/2025 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Calling all NYC lovers and nerds: REALLY interesting conversation about housing. Even I — who has been following NYC housing since I wrote papers in college about it 40 years ago — learned a lot. Interesting ideas. LISTEN!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...