Bobby Fijan
@bobbyfijan.bsky.social
Building Housing for Families
We don't built apartments for families.
Look at the distribution of units built in Bellevue, Washington. In buildings since 2010 with more than 20 units ... over 70% of new units are Studio or 1BRs, and less than 2% have 3+ bedrooms
Look at the distribution of units built in Bellevue, Washington. In buildings since 2010 with more than 20 units ... over 70% of new units are Studio or 1BRs, and less than 2% have 3+ bedrooms
November 25, 2025 at 5:32 PM
We don't built apartments for families.
Look at the distribution of units built in Bellevue, Washington. In buildings since 2010 with more than 20 units ... over 70% of new units are Studio or 1BRs, and less than 2% have 3+ bedrooms
Look at the distribution of units built in Bellevue, Washington. In buildings since 2010 with more than 20 units ... over 70% of new units are Studio or 1BRs, and less than 2% have 3+ bedrooms
Rachel has been a reliably good and persistent writer on the topic of babies and housing for a long time now.
After decades of building for singles, cities are realizing the bill has come due. I wrote about the dearth of housing for families — and what it’ll take to fix it
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
Cities made a bet on millennials — but forgot one key thing
Can cities learn to love kids again?
www.vox.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Rachel has been a reliably good and persistent writer on the topic of babies and housing for a long time now.
Cities will always be a magnet for the ambitious & adventurous. A great places to be young - if you don’t have kids
Thats the heart of a Vox piece (I was quoted in) which explains how cities grew by attracting millennials but lost sight of the next step in people’s lives
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
Thats the heart of a Vox piece (I was quoted in) which explains how cities grew by attracting millennials but lost sight of the next step in people’s lives
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
Cities made a bet on millennials — but forgot one key thing
Can cities learn to love kids again?
www.vox.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Cities will always be a magnet for the ambitious & adventurous. A great places to be young - if you don’t have kids
Thats the heart of a Vox piece (I was quoted in) which explains how cities grew by attracting millennials but lost sight of the next step in people’s lives
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
Thats the heart of a Vox piece (I was quoted in) which explains how cities grew by attracting millennials but lost sight of the next step in people’s lives
www.vox.com/policy/46981...
Cities made a bet on millennials — but forgot one key thing
Can cities learn to love kids again?
www.vox.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The 16-18' wide rowhouse is the perfect "starter home”
My company is building this 3-story rowhouse typology is bc it’s beautiful and functional as both detached AND attached … so it works in both urban & suburban neighrbhoods
1200-1600sf, 3-4BR units
My company is building this 3-story rowhouse typology is bc it’s beautiful and functional as both detached AND attached … so it works in both urban & suburban neighrbhoods
1200-1600sf, 3-4BR units
November 23, 2025 at 2:33 AM
The 16-18' wide rowhouse is the perfect "starter home”
My company is building this 3-story rowhouse typology is bc it’s beautiful and functional as both detached AND attached … so it works in both urban & suburban neighrbhoods
1200-1600sf, 3-4BR units
My company is building this 3-story rowhouse typology is bc it’s beautiful and functional as both detached AND attached … so it works in both urban & suburban neighrbhoods
1200-1600sf, 3-4BR units
What does it look like for a City to be family friendly?
“In the City, I want there to be so many babies, so many strollers … that it is as common for you to see a stroller as it is for you to see someone walking a dog.”
“In the City, I want there to be so many babies, so many strollers … that it is as common for you to see a stroller as it is for you to see someone walking a dog.”
November 18, 2025 at 6:58 PM
What does it look like for a City to be family friendly?
“In the City, I want there to be so many babies, so many strollers … that it is as common for you to see a stroller as it is for you to see someone walking a dog.”
“In the City, I want there to be so many babies, so many strollers … that it is as common for you to see a stroller as it is for you to see someone walking a dog.”
"If you want to stay in the city and raise your family there, you should be able to do that”
“I think if a lot of these row houses here on Capitol Hill were $300,000 and you could just like buy one if you had a normal job, 80-90% of people would just do that”
open.spotify.com/episode/3bpq...
“I think if a lot of these row houses here on Capitol Hill were $300,000 and you could just like buy one if you had a normal job, 80-90% of people would just do that”
open.spotify.com/episode/3bpq...
A Floor Plan for Making Babies (ft. Bobby Fijan)
open.spotify.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:41 AM
"If you want to stay in the city and raise your family there, you should be able to do that”
“I think if a lot of these row houses here on Capitol Hill were $300,000 and you could just like buy one if you had a normal job, 80-90% of people would just do that”
open.spotify.com/episode/3bpq...
“I think if a lot of these row houses here on Capitol Hill were $300,000 and you could just like buy one if you had a normal job, 80-90% of people would just do that”
open.spotify.com/episode/3bpq...
Wow St. Louis! I was not familiar with your game
Might be the most striking apartment building I've seen. And it's 5 years old.
Might be the most striking apartment building I've seen. And it's 5 years old.
November 15, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Wow St. Louis! I was not familiar with your game
Might be the most striking apartment building I've seen. And it's 5 years old.
Might be the most striking apartment building I've seen. And it's 5 years old.
This apartment building in Sacramento has the *perfect* lifestyle photo as their hero/header image
New buildings never include any photos of any children.
New buildings never include any photos of any children.
November 15, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This apartment building in Sacramento has the *perfect* lifestyle photo as their hero/header image
New buildings never include any photos of any children.
New buildings never include any photos of any children.
Oversized chess sets are the funniest apartment amenity … that no one ever uses.
November 15, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Oversized chess sets are the funniest apartment amenity … that no one ever uses.
It’s a great time to be looking for an apartment in Nashville. Lease specials:
3 months free rent!
A free cruise!
3 months free rent!
A free cruise!
November 12, 2025 at 1:44 PM
It’s a great time to be looking for an apartment in Nashville. Lease specials:
3 months free rent!
A free cruise!
3 months free rent!
A free cruise!
Reposted by Bobby Fijan
Next Wednesday, November 19, I am participating in a panel discussion at AIA Brooklyn with @holz-bau.bsky.social and SO-IL's Jonathan Molloy about building code reform. It will be in-person in Downtown Brooklyn from 6 to 8:30 p.m., register free to attend here: www.eventbrite.com/e/rethinking...
Rethinking the Shape of the City: SingleStair Reform in Multifamily Housing
Hear from Michael Eliason, Jonathan Molloy and Stephen Smith.
www.eventbrite.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Next Wednesday, November 19, I am participating in a panel discussion at AIA Brooklyn with @holz-bau.bsky.social and SO-IL's Jonathan Molloy about building code reform. It will be in-person in Downtown Brooklyn from 6 to 8:30 p.m., register free to attend here: www.eventbrite.com/e/rethinking...
A great new paper on effects of smaller apartments on fertility:
“A supply shift for large units generates 2.3 times more births than an equal-cost shift for small units. This analysis concludes the supply of housing suitable for families can meaningfully contribute to demographic sustainability”
“A supply shift for large units generates 2.3 times more births than an equal-cost shift for small units. This analysis concludes the supply of housing suitable for families can meaningfully contribute to demographic sustainability”
November 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
A great new paper on effects of smaller apartments on fertility:
“A supply shift for large units generates 2.3 times more births than an equal-cost shift for small units. This analysis concludes the supply of housing suitable for families can meaningfully contribute to demographic sustainability”
“A supply shift for large units generates 2.3 times more births than an equal-cost shift for small units. This analysis concludes the supply of housing suitable for families can meaningfully contribute to demographic sustainability”
Toddler playrooms are an amenity that could easily be added to any new apartment building. They don't up take much space ... just like kids.
Here's a cute (but small) one in a brand new building in DC
Here's a cute (but small) one in a brand new building in DC
November 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Toddler playrooms are an amenity that could easily be added to any new apartment building. They don't up take much space ... just like kids.
Here's a cute (but small) one in a brand new building in DC
Here's a cute (but small) one in a brand new building in DC
A long, meandering, but fun, conversation I did on family apartments and making cities better for families
open.spotify.com/episode/1qEX...
open.spotify.com/episode/1qEX...
24 : Bobby Fijan - Family Matters
open.spotify.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:57 PM
A long, meandering, but fun, conversation I did on family apartments and making cities better for families
open.spotify.com/episode/1qEX...
open.spotify.com/episode/1qEX...
A beautiful, simple, rowhome project I toured in Portland, Maine this year.
1100sf, 3BR+Den/2BA
Small, efficient floorplans = affordable
1100sf, 3BR+Den/2BA
Small, efficient floorplans = affordable
November 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
A beautiful, simple, rowhome project I toured in Portland, Maine this year.
1100sf, 3BR+Den/2BA
Small, efficient floorplans = affordable
1100sf, 3BR+Den/2BA
Small, efficient floorplans = affordable
Reposted by Bobby Fijan
I agree w Emily there needs to be more housing for incremental life stages. I have 0 disagreements w her policy recommendations
My emphasis for "family" housing (as a developer) is on building Baby Maybe units rather than Studios, bc I think they are under supplied relative to demand
I'll explain🔽
My emphasis for "family" housing (as a developer) is on building Baby Maybe units rather than Studios, bc I think they are under supplied relative to demand
I'll explain🔽
Pro-housing voices from the right of center are increasingly focused on a "we need housing For Families" framing.
In a new column I explain why broad-based liberalization, especially for inexpensive types of housing, is important for helping people start families: www.governing.com/urban/to-sup...
In a new column I explain why broad-based liberalization, especially for inexpensive types of housing, is important for helping people start families: www.governing.com/urban/to-sup...
To Support Families, Repair the Housing Ladder
The cost of housing is one big barrier to family formation. But simply building more single family homes isn't the answer.
www.governing.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I agree w Emily there needs to be more housing for incremental life stages. I have 0 disagreements w her policy recommendations
My emphasis for "family" housing (as a developer) is on building Baby Maybe units rather than Studios, bc I think they are under supplied relative to demand
I'll explain🔽
My emphasis for "family" housing (as a developer) is on building Baby Maybe units rather than Studios, bc I think they are under supplied relative to demand
I'll explain🔽
I agree w Emily there needs to be more housing for incremental life stages. I have 0 disagreements w her policy recommendations
My emphasis for "family" housing (as a developer) is on building Baby Maybe units rather than Studios, bc I think they are under supplied relative to demand
I'll explain🔽
My emphasis for "family" housing (as a developer) is on building Baby Maybe units rather than Studios, bc I think they are under supplied relative to demand
I'll explain🔽
Pro-housing voices from the right of center are increasingly focused on a "we need housing For Families" framing.
In a new column I explain why broad-based liberalization, especially for inexpensive types of housing, is important for helping people start families: www.governing.com/urban/to-sup...
In a new column I explain why broad-based liberalization, especially for inexpensive types of housing, is important for helping people start families: www.governing.com/urban/to-sup...
To Support Families, Repair the Housing Ladder
The cost of housing is one big barrier to family formation. But simply building more single family homes isn't the answer.
www.governing.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I agree w Emily there needs to be more housing for incremental life stages. I have 0 disagreements w her policy recommendations
My emphasis for "family" housing (as a developer) is on building Baby Maybe units rather than Studios, bc I think they are under supplied relative to demand
I'll explain🔽
My emphasis for "family" housing (as a developer) is on building Baby Maybe units rather than Studios, bc I think they are under supplied relative to demand
I'll explain🔽
I normally don’t like painting brick … but these rowhomes in DC are charming
October 30, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I normally don’t like painting brick … but these rowhomes in DC are charming
Young people are increasingly living in larger apartment buildings
For those who care about families and people having babies … since young people ARE living in those units, the key is to make it as easy as possible for younger couples to have their first child
“Baby Maybe Housing”
For those who care about families and people having babies … since young people ARE living in those units, the key is to make it as easy as possible for younger couples to have their first child
“Baby Maybe Housing”
October 29, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Young people are increasingly living in larger apartment buildings
For those who care about families and people having babies … since young people ARE living in those units, the key is to make it as easy as possible for younger couples to have their first child
“Baby Maybe Housing”
For those who care about families and people having babies … since young people ARE living in those units, the key is to make it as easy as possible for younger couples to have their first child
“Baby Maybe Housing”
The 3-story rowhome is a Bedrock of America
October 28, 2025 at 8:09 PM
The 3-story rowhome is a Bedrock of America
This is anti-natalist … and will only make apartments more complicated to lay out cod families
People who want to have kids prefer apartments that have extra rooms
People who want to have kids prefer apartments that have extra rooms
October 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
This is anti-natalist … and will only make apartments more complicated to lay out cod families
People who want to have kids prefer apartments that have extra rooms
People who want to have kids prefer apartments that have extra rooms
There's nothing inherently "better" about a smaller house ... and since a Mcmansion is almost certainly going to be larger (for what you can afford) the attributes of the Mcmansion *will* be better than a rowhome
October 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
There's nothing inherently "better" about a smaller house ... and since a Mcmansion is almost certainly going to be larger (for what you can afford) the attributes of the Mcmansion *will* be better than a rowhome
We need to build brownstones again.
Masonry. Soundproof. Alley loaded.
1600sf, 3BR+Office/2.5BA
Masonry. Soundproof. Alley loaded.
1600sf, 3BR+Office/2.5BA
October 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
We need to build brownstones again.
Masonry. Soundproof. Alley loaded.
1600sf, 3BR+Office/2.5BA
Masonry. Soundproof. Alley loaded.
1600sf, 3BR+Office/2.5BA