Justin S.
@jsaif.bsky.social
Indie rock, #CambMA and national politics, occasional humor, law. Pro-housing, pro-transit. A Better Cambridge co-chair, “chatty and zealous”
Conversely, this is a huge opportunity for MA progressives who want to establish real credibility on the issue of housing affordability. It's one of the most important issues to MA voters, and support for pro-housing policies is growing on the left (see: Mamdani.)
Show us you're serious!
Show us you're serious!
February 12, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Can we get @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social to speak about housing to some folks in Boston?
fxtwitter.com/NYCPlanning/...
fxtwitter.com/NYCPlanning/...
NYC Planning (@NYCPlanning)
In a city that moves a mile a minute, it shouldn’t take two years to get an affordable home through environmental review!
Watch @NYCMayor stand with @GovKathyHochul to support streamlining state SEQR...
fxtwitter.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Can we get @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social to speak about housing to some folks in Boston?
fxtwitter.com/NYCPlanning/...
fxtwitter.com/NYCPlanning/...
Reposted by Justin S.
Great to hear from @planning.boston.gov last night. The AB Community Plan is a generational opportunity to set the neighborhood on a path to build more housing, support local businesses, and invest in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Hope to see folks at the Wed. meeting and ABHA after-party!
Thank you, @planning.boston.gov for a good virtual Allston-Brighton Community Plan meeting last night where we talked about the need for zoning reform in our community. AB residents, come to the in-person meeting Feb 11, 6-8pm, and join ABHA afterwards at Devlin's! partiful.com/e/Tf9igDn3FH...
RSVP to ABCP Feb 11 Meeting After Party 🎉 | Partiful
Allston-Brighton Community Plan Public Meetings are coming up! There will be an in-person meeting on February 11th . Attend to learn more about this once-in-a-generation zoning update and share your v...
partiful.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Great to hear from @planning.boston.gov last night. The AB Community Plan is a generational opportunity to set the neighborhood on a path to build more housing, support local businesses, and invest in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Hope to see folks at the Wed. meeting and ABHA after-party!
@kevinerdmann.bsky.social just discussed the terrific paper by MIT PhD student Vincent Rollet, who was on the @somervilleyimby.org and A Better Cambridge panel on Zoning for Affordability last October.
February 9, 2026 at 10:12 PM
@kevinerdmann.bsky.social just discussed the terrific paper by MIT PhD student Vincent Rollet, who was on the @somervilleyimby.org and A Better Cambridge panel on Zoning for Affordability last October.
Reposted by Justin S.
Every homeowner commenting against new housing at city council meetings
Trump: "I don't want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people who own homes."
January 29, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Every homeowner commenting against new housing at city council meetings
@massgovernor.bsky.social @kimdriscollma.bsky.social we can’t wait until the late 2030s!
Massachusetts building code subcommittee is now debating this. There seems to be broad agreement that it's going to happen, but they seem to want to delay it till the next code, which realistically will mean no buildings till the late 2030s www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/05/o...
Why five feet of building space can doom construction - The Boston Globe
1973 law on high-rise threshold is out of sync with national recommendations.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:47 PM
@massgovernor.bsky.social @kimdriscollma.bsky.social we can’t wait until the late 2030s!
FYI, fellow Cambridge City Council agenda reviewers
Well, 5:30pm having come and gone, I guess this is all we're getting, at least statutorily:
cambridgema.primegov.com/Public/Compi...
I do wonder how many people are going to find this and figure out they need to click the 3 dots in order to get to anything meaningful:
cambridgema.primegov.com/Public/Compi...
I do wonder how many people are going to find this and figure out they need to click the 3 dots in order to get to anything meaningful:
January 22, 2026 at 11:28 PM
FYI, fellow Cambridge City Council agenda reviewers
Reposted by Justin S.
How do we fix America's housing crisis? Check out my plan at the link below.
www.gallego.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
www.gallego.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
January 14, 2026 at 2:52 PM
How do we fix America's housing crisis? Check out my plan at the link below.
www.gallego.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
www.gallego.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Justin S.
We have the #cambma City Council 2026-7 committee assignments!
cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Det...
Notably, as to chairs:
Ordinance is MM+JSW.
Housing is BA+JWS.
New member AAZ gets Public Safety and co-chairs Finance, Human Services.
New member TF co-chairs Economic Development, Transportation.
cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Det...
Notably, as to chairs:
Ordinance is MM+JSW.
Housing is BA+JWS.
New member AAZ gets Public Safety and co-chairs Finance, Human Services.
New member TF co-chairs Economic Development, Transportation.
January 8, 2026 at 7:13 PM
We have the #cambma City Council 2026-7 committee assignments!
cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Det...
Notably, as to chairs:
Ordinance is MM+JSW.
Housing is BA+JWS.
New member AAZ gets Public Safety and co-chairs Finance, Human Services.
New member TF co-chairs Economic Development, Transportation.
cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Det...
Notably, as to chairs:
Ordinance is MM+JSW.
Housing is BA+JWS.
New member AAZ gets Public Safety and co-chairs Finance, Human Services.
New member TF co-chairs Economic Development, Transportation.
Reposted by Justin S.
In-law suites, granny flats, backyard cottages – whatever you call them, you can now build ADUs without special permits.
In the first half of 2025, homeowners filed almost 1K applications. We're making it easier and cheaper to build housing that works for your family.
In the first half of 2025, homeowners filed almost 1K applications. We're making it easier and cheaper to build housing that works for your family.
December 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
In-law suites, granny flats, backyard cottages – whatever you call them, you can now build ADUs without special permits.
In the first half of 2025, homeowners filed almost 1K applications. We're making it easier and cheaper to build housing that works for your family.
In the first half of 2025, homeowners filed almost 1K applications. We're making it easier and cheaper to build housing that works for your family.
Thank you to everyone who wrote to the Cambridge City Council and gave public comment in support!
MASS AVE ZONING is Ordained by vote of 6-3 (with 12 stories, no compromise to 11 stories):
BA y MM y PN n SS y JSW y PFT y AW n CZ n EDS y
BA y MM y PN n SS y JSW y PFT y AW n CZ n EDS y
December 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Thank you to everyone who wrote to the Cambridge City Council and gave public comment in support!
Reposted by Justin S.
New housing stops landlords from raising rents—take it from the CEO of AvalonBay, one of NYC's largest landlords:
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
October 30, 2025 at 10:48 PM
New housing stops landlords from raising rents—take it from the CEO of AvalonBay, one of NYC's largest landlords:
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
Reposted by Justin S.
You may not believe that building new housing lowers rents, but your landlord does:
New housing stops landlords from raising rents—take it from the CEO of AvalonBay, one of NYC's largest landlords:
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
"We're well-positioned… we face significantly less new supply. Land entitled for multifamily is hard to come by, the amount of time it takes to get those entitlements… sets us up well.”
December 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
You may not believe that building new housing lowers rents, but your landlord does:
Reposted by Justin S.
🌳 From 2018–2024, Cambridge's tree canopy experienced an overall increase of 5%! 📈
The Department of Public Works' updated tree canopy assessment is now available, thanks to aerial imagery & LiDAR data.
📝 Read the full report: https://camb.ma/48LMGJh
The Department of Public Works' updated tree canopy assessment is now available, thanks to aerial imagery & LiDAR data.
📝 Read the full report: https://camb.ma/48LMGJh
December 19, 2025 at 7:16 PM
🌳 From 2018–2024, Cambridge's tree canopy experienced an overall increase of 5%! 📈
The Department of Public Works' updated tree canopy assessment is now available, thanks to aerial imagery & LiDAR data.
📝 Read the full report: https://camb.ma/48LMGJh
The Department of Public Works' updated tree canopy assessment is now available, thanks to aerial imagery & LiDAR data.
📝 Read the full report: https://camb.ma/48LMGJh
Reposted by Justin S.
YIMBY avengers assemble! Can someone provide good debunking on the "corporate landlords hoard vacant apartments" urban legend?
I met someone tonight who holds fast to this and we agreed to exchange sources, but my main source is "this makes no economic sense"
I met someone tonight who holds fast to this and we agreed to exchange sources, but my main source is "this makes no economic sense"
a man holding a microphone with the words why would you do that behind him
ALT: a man holding a microphone with the words why would you do that behind him
media.tenor.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:53 AM
YIMBY avengers assemble! Can someone provide good debunking on the "corporate landlords hoard vacant apartments" urban legend?
I met someone tonight who holds fast to this and we agreed to exchange sources, but my main source is "this makes no economic sense"
I met someone tonight who holds fast to this and we agreed to exchange sources, but my main source is "this makes no economic sense"
This will be a crucial race for addressing our housing shortage and high rents. We need a Senator laser-focused on abundance and affordability!
INBOX: Sen. Pat Jehlen -- whose district includes Cambridge, Medford, Somerville and Winchester --says she is ***not*** running for reelection in 2026
In Senate since 2005, House member between 1991 and 2005
In Senate since 2005, House member between 1991 and 2005
December 9, 2025 at 10:33 PM
This will be a crucial race for addressing our housing shortage and high rents. We need a Senator laser-focused on abundance and affordability!
Reposted by Justin S.
On a favorable rec. for Mass Ave, 6-2-1:
ba y mm y PN y SS y JSW y PFT y AW n CZ n EDS (absent)
And for Cambridge St., 7-1-1.
BA y MM y PN y SS y JSW y PFT y AW y CZ n EDS (absent)
This allows the full Council to pass it to a 2nd reading — failure to do so would've have stopped them.
ba y mm y PN y SS y JSW y PFT y AW n CZ n EDS (absent)
And for Cambridge St., 7-1-1.
BA y MM y PN y SS y JSW y PFT y AW y CZ n EDS (absent)
This allows the full Council to pass it to a 2nd reading — failure to do so would've have stopped them.
December 3, 2025 at 1:26 AM
On a favorable rec. for Mass Ave, 6-2-1:
ba y mm y PN y SS y JSW y PFT y AW n CZ n EDS (absent)
And for Cambridge St., 7-1-1.
BA y MM y PN y SS y JSW y PFT y AW y CZ n EDS (absent)
This allows the full Council to pass it to a 2nd reading — failure to do so would've have stopped them.
ba y mm y PN y SS y JSW y PFT y AW n CZ n EDS (absent)
And for Cambridge St., 7-1-1.
BA y MM y PN y SS y JSW y PFT y AW y CZ n EDS (absent)
This allows the full Council to pass it to a 2nd reading — failure to do so would've have stopped them.
Reposted by Justin S.
What happens when you downzone?
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Downzoning Chicago: How Local Land Use Policy Has Reduced Housing Construction and Reinforced Segregation | Published in Findings
By Yonah Freemark, George Kisiel. Downzonings were used by US cities in the postwar period to preserve neighborhood character. These land-use policies were associated with lower housing supply, higher...
findingspress.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What happens when you downzone?
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Our new open-access research paper in @findingspress.org investigates effects of decades of downzoning in Chicago.
Findings:
—Downzoned areas added 1/7th of the new units as comparable non-downzoned areas;
—Downzoned areas became more white & were more expensive.
Reposted by Justin S.
Massachusetts and communities across the country are facing a housing crisis.
Instead of offering support, the federal government is placing unlawful conditions on permanent housing and project renewals that our most vulnerable residents rely on to survive. We're suing.
Instead of offering support, the federal government is placing unlawful conditions on permanent housing and project renewals that our most vulnerable residents rely on to survive. We're suing.
November 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Massachusetts and communities across the country are facing a housing crisis.
Instead of offering support, the federal government is placing unlawful conditions on permanent housing and project renewals that our most vulnerable residents rely on to survive. We're suing.
Instead of offering support, the federal government is placing unlawful conditions on permanent housing and project renewals that our most vulnerable residents rely on to survive. We're suing.
Great to have directly across the street from the Porter T stop! Two 15-story buildings could hold a lot more than 100 apartments—and more is necessary given that JAS had 2100 applicants for its 100-apartment building on New Street!
"He said Just A Start wants people to get used to the idea that there could be 15-story buildings on each side of Mount Vernon Street."
🫡🫡
🫡🫡
November 26, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Great to have directly across the street from the Porter T stop! Two 15-story buildings could hold a lot more than 100 apartments—and more is necessary given that JAS had 2100 applicants for its 100-apartment building on New Street!
The Cambridge Historical Commission barely, begrudgingly approved a Bluebikes station in West Cambridge last night, yikes.
Also at the CHC tonight, on Brattle St., the renewed approval for the bike lane separators was continued to a future meeting, and the Bluebikes station at Brattle/Craigie/Sparks was narrowly approved 4-2 (MR y FD n YZ y SK y GK y CH n).
November 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The Cambridge Historical Commission barely, begrudgingly approved a Bluebikes station in West Cambridge last night, yikes.
I’m so proud of all the work @abciepac.org volunteers put into the Cambridge City Council election—and proud we got right back to work fighting for affordable housing, with four of us participating in last night’s meeting to support this AHO proposal by Just-A-Start! www.justastart.org/240-broadway/
240 Broadway | Just A Start
ABOUT We plan to transform the parking lot at the intersection of Broadway and Windsor Street into a 20-unit affordable housing property, featuring 9 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom units. Conveniently...
www.justastart.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I’m so proud of all the work @abciepac.org volunteers put into the Cambridge City Council election—and proud we got right back to work fighting for affordable housing, with four of us participating in last night’s meeting to support this AHO proposal by Just-A-Start! www.justastart.org/240-broadway/
Reposted by Justin S.
The voters sent a clear message. They want a City Council that will move forward, not backward, and that will act boldly on housing, safe streets, and building a city that welcomes everyone.
November 6, 2025 at 11:19 PM
The voters sent a clear message. They want a City Council that will move forward, not backward, and that will act boldly on housing, safe streets, and building a city that welcomes everyone.
Reposted by Justin S.
Join us in raising money for the Greater Boston Food Bank throughout November. We're accepting monetary donations at the registers in store through November 23. Learn more about volunteering, donating food or money, and receiving assistance at their website: www.gbfb.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Join us in raising money for the Greater Boston Food Bank throughout November. We're accepting monetary donations at the registers in store through November 23. Learn more about volunteering, donating food or money, and receiving assistance at their website: www.gbfb.org