Jesse Kanson-Benanav
@jessekb.bsky.social
Saying yes to homes for all across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Executive director of @abundanthousingma.org | http://linkedin.com/in/jesse-kb
Amazing score by Mamdani bringing Andrew in to his already abundance-pilled administration. I've enjoyed getting to know and work with Andrew through @welcomingneighbors.us...and I won't tell anyone in NYC that he's actually a Mass. native! 😅
Some exciting (& bittersweet) news: our Chief of Staff & Policy Director @andrewdfine.bsky.social will be leaving Open New York to join the Mamdani admin, where he will be a senior advisor to DM Bozorg overseeing housing policy 🧵
February 6, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Amazing score by Mamdani bringing Andrew in to his already abundance-pilled administration. I've enjoyed getting to know and work with Andrew through @welcomingneighbors.us...and I won't tell anyone in NYC that he's actually a Mass. native! 😅
Missoula.
Montana.
In Boston still have single-family exclusive zones and other areas where even a classic triple decker can't be built by-right, not to mention a whole mess of costly parking mandates.
There's no reason, other than political will, that we can't do this in Boston.
Montana.
In Boston still have single-family exclusive zones and other areas where even a classic triple decker can't be built by-right, not to mention a whole mess of costly parking mandates.
There's no reason, other than political will, that we can't do this in Boston.
Last night, Missoula, Montana notched a HUGE zoning reform win. They achieved:
1️⃣ Shifted single-family only zones to 4 to 12 homes per lot (depending on zone)
2️⃣ Reduced minimum lot sizes
3️⃣Eliminated (❗) parking mandates citywide (‼️)
...And more!
1️⃣ Shifted single-family only zones to 4 to 12 homes per lot (depending on zone)
2️⃣ Reduced minimum lot sizes
3️⃣Eliminated (❗) parking mandates citywide (‼️)
...And more!
February 3, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Missoula.
Montana.
In Boston still have single-family exclusive zones and other areas where even a classic triple decker can't be built by-right, not to mention a whole mess of costly parking mandates.
There's no reason, other than political will, that we can't do this in Boston.
Montana.
In Boston still have single-family exclusive zones and other areas where even a classic triple decker can't be built by-right, not to mention a whole mess of costly parking mandates.
There's no reason, other than political will, that we can't do this in Boston.
People including a @bostonglobe.com columnist are lamenting the loss of a longstanding gas station in Jamaica Plain, and its replacement with 230 new homes.
No wonder we simultaneously crises in both housing and climate.
No wonder we simultaneously crises in both housing and climate.
February 2, 2026 at 6:06 PM
People including a @bostonglobe.com columnist are lamenting the loss of a longstanding gas station in Jamaica Plain, and its replacement with 230 new homes.
No wonder we simultaneously crises in both housing and climate.
No wonder we simultaneously crises in both housing and climate.
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
Allowing starter homes on smaller lots ➡️ building homes that everyone can afford.
Let's make it reality.
Let's make it reality.
Starter homes are disappearing in MA. This ballot question could help bring them back by legalizing smaller lot sizes statewide.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/10/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/10/o...
A 5,000-square-foot solution to the Massachusetts housing crisis - The Boston Globe
A ballot measure to reduce lot-size requirements would open up more housing options in the suburbs, creating opportunities to build smaller, lower-cost homes.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Allowing starter homes on smaller lots ➡️ building homes that everyone can afford.
Let's make it reality.
Let's make it reality.
I really want to know the back story about how this person ended up with so many Amtrak cafe car sandwiches to give away on our local buy nothing group
January 29, 2026 at 2:23 PM
I really want to know the back story about how this person ended up with so many Amtrak cafe car sandwiches to give away on our local buy nothing group
Left Permanent
NIMBYs GOP control
🤝
Don't build homes in blue states
NIMBYs GOP control
🤝
Don't build homes in blue states
#NEW: 2030 Apportionment Forecast based on 2025 Census Bureau Population Estimates (January 27, 2026).
Forecast prepared by Dr. Jonathan Cervas (CMIST) at Carnegie Mellon University
Forecast prepared by Dr. Jonathan Cervas (CMIST) at Carnegie Mellon University
January 27, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Left Permanent
NIMBYs GOP control
🤝
Don't build homes in blue states
NIMBYs GOP control
🤝
Don't build homes in blue states
I know there was a protest at Park Street tonight but I found out too late. Does anyone know if others are planned for the near future (I suppose not tomorrow or Monday)? I'm feeling so angry and helpless that it seems likely it would be nice to be surrounded by others feeling similar.
January 24, 2026 at 11:54 PM
I know there was a protest at Park Street tonight but I found out too late. Does anyone know if others are planned for the near future (I suppose not tomorrow or Monday)? I'm feeling so angry and helpless that it seems likely it would be nice to be surrounded by others feeling similar.
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
It sounds counterintuitive, but allowing buildings with just one staircase access can actually produce safer buildings.
Not to mention the tremendous effect on liveability that can come with smaller footprint buildings.
Read this excellent story!
Not to mention the tremendous effect on liveability that can come with smaller footprint buildings.
Read this excellent story!
Our piece on single stair: a crucial change that is slowly coming to Canadian cities
By me and @johnlorinc.bsky.social
By me and @johnlorinc.bsky.social
January 17, 2026 at 4:09 PM
It sounds counterintuitive, but allowing buildings with just one staircase access can actually produce safer buildings.
Not to mention the tremendous effect on liveability that can come with smaller footprint buildings.
Read this excellent story!
Not to mention the tremendous effect on liveability that can come with smaller footprint buildings.
Read this excellent story!
I am shocked to learn that Montgomery Ward still exists (at least in catalogue format)
January 17, 2026 at 4:15 PM
I am shocked to learn that Montgomery Ward still exists (at least in catalogue format)
Apropos of nothing in particular, new development in Mass. increases a city's Prop 2.5 basis. That is to say, if a city is having property tax issues, incentivizing new housing & commercial dev is one way to increase revenue potentially w/out raising individual residential taxes or prop 2.5 override
January 16, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Apropos of nothing in particular, new development in Mass. increases a city's Prop 2.5 basis. That is to say, if a city is having property tax issues, incentivizing new housing & commercial dev is one way to increase revenue potentially w/out raising individual residential taxes or prop 2.5 override
Massachusetts has entered the chat
Alternate take: Zohran Mamdani’s mayoralty is revealing that left NIMBYism was never a thing, e cept for a few places in California.
January 15, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Massachusetts has entered the chat
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
History has nothing to say about a fascist government wanting a list of Jews at a higher education institution. I won't hold my breath waiting for Jonathan Greenblatt's condemnation.
UPenn faculty condemn Trump administration’s demand for ‘lists of Jews’
Groups say EEOC demand for names and personal details echoes dark history and threatens safety and civil rights
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:25 AM
History has nothing to say about a fascist government wanting a list of Jews at a higher education institution. I won't hold my breath waiting for Jonathan Greenblatt's condemnation.
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
Congratulations to our 2025 Legislators of the Year @councillorsiddiqui.bsky.social and @burhanazeem.bsky.social, the newly selected Mayor and Vice Mayor of the Cambridge City Council!
January 5, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Congratulations to our 2025 Legislators of the Year @councillorsiddiqui.bsky.social and @burhanazeem.bsky.social, the newly selected Mayor and Vice Mayor of the Cambridge City Council!
I know there's lots of bad stuff in the world right now, but there is some good news
December 18, 2025 at 11:33 PM
I know there's lots of bad stuff in the world right now, but there is some good news
How would the trajectory of US and global politics have been different if this case went the other way and Gore won Florida?
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/12/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/12/m...
Today in History: Supreme Court issues Bush v. Gore decision - The Boston Globe
Today is Friday, Dec. 12, the 346th day of 2025. There are 19 days left in the year.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:39 PM
How would the trajectory of US and global politics have been different if this case went the other way and Gore won Florida?
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/12/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/12/m...
If they're safe in Minnesota, they're safe in Massachusetts too.
Let's get it done: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2...
Let's get it done: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2...
December 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
If they're safe in Minnesota, they're safe in Massachusetts too.
Let's get it done: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2...
Let's get it done: malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2...
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
In 2024 we helped to pass a legislative study to prove what we already knew.
That 75' single egress buildings are safe, and the #MNleg should legalize them.
Today that report is now live! dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
That 75' single egress buildings are safe, and the #MNleg should legalize them.
Today that report is now live! dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
December 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
In 2024 we helped to pass a legislative study to prove what we already knew.
That 75' single egress buildings are safe, and the #MNleg should legalize them.
Today that report is now live! dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
That 75' single egress buildings are safe, and the #MNleg should legalize them.
Today that report is now live! dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
My MBTA Commuter Rail conductor tonight: "This train is free to Forest Hills tonight for construction or signal work or whatever on the orange line. The rest of you have to pay. Sorry."
December 6, 2025 at 12:04 AM
My MBTA Commuter Rail conductor tonight: "This train is free to Forest Hills tonight for construction or signal work or whatever on the orange line. The rest of you have to pay. Sorry."
Feeling grateful that my fellow Boston voters did not send Frank Baker back to the city council, with his bizarre logic that by-right zoning is somehow government interference (what? 🤦♂️) while he also basically campaigned on defacto Councilor prerogative over development.
November 21, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Feeling grateful that my fellow Boston voters did not send Frank Baker back to the city council, with his bizarre logic that by-right zoning is somehow government interference (what? 🤦♂️) while he also basically campaigned on defacto Councilor prerogative over development.
Where else besides Boston can you get violently screamed at by another driver for going straight on green, thus preventing them from making a dangerous and illegal left on green in front of oncoming traffic?
November 14, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Where else besides Boston can you get violently screamed at by another driver for going straight on green, thus preventing them from making a dangerous and illegal left on green in front of oncoming traffic?
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
The campaign has collected 70,000 of 74,574 signatures needed — and we’re so close!
Volunteer on Nov 15 or 16 to help us meet the goal before the filing deadline. ✍️
Sign up to help ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Volunteer on Nov 15 or 16 to help us meet the goal before the filing deadline. ✍️
Sign up to help ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Legalize Starter Homes Day of Action
Cambridge City Councillor Burhan Azeem, Abundant Housing Massachusetts, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Campaign are organizing a coordinated Day of Action to rally support for legalizing…
tinyurl.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM
The campaign has collected 70,000 of 74,574 signatures needed — and we’re so close!
Volunteer on Nov 15 or 16 to help us meet the goal before the filing deadline. ✍️
Sign up to help ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Volunteer on Nov 15 or 16 to help us meet the goal before the filing deadline. ✍️
Sign up to help ➡️https://tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
The Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative is an effort to update restrictive zoning to make it easier for working families, young people, and seniors to afford homes in Massachusetts.
To learn more about the ballot initiative visit here: www.legalizestarterhomes.com/about
To learn more about the ballot initiative visit here: www.legalizestarterhomes.com/about
Learn more about LSH
MA needs more housing. LSH's 2026 ballot question will make it easier & cheaper to build starter homes in MA.
www.legalizestarterhomes.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM
The Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative is an effort to update restrictive zoning to make it easier for working families, young people, and seniors to afford homes in Massachusetts.
To learn more about the ballot initiative visit here: www.legalizestarterhomes.com/about
To learn more about the ballot initiative visit here: www.legalizestarterhomes.com/about
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
🏡 Help us get more housing on the 2026 ballot!
Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Legalize Starter Homes Day of Action
Cambridge City Councillor Burhan Azeem, Abundant Housing Massachusetts, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Campaign are organizing a coordinated Day of Action to rally support for legalizing…
tinyurl.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:43 AM
🏡 Help us get more housing on the 2026 ballot!
Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Join AHMA, Cambridge City Councilor Burhan Azeem, and the Legalize Starter Homes Ballot Initiative for a Day of Action this weekend!
tinyurl.com/2sk34xt9
Reposted by Jesse Kanson-Benanav
When we build enough supply of homes so that landlords must compete, renters win.
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
Bend's surge of apartment construction flattens rent hikes - The Bulletin
When Ian Gray looked for an apartment to rent in Bend earlier this year, he had something not available only a few years ago: a choice. Gray, who moved to Bend for a job as the city’s first-ever urban...
bendbulletin.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
When we build enough supply of homes so that landlords must compete, renters win.
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...
"The more properties there are, it drives all of us to lower rents and offer concessions" says the property manager pictured here.
bendbulletin.com/2025/11/11/b...