Welcoming Neighbors Network
A network of local organizations working to fix the US housing shortage. Our members win pro-housing policy change. We can help you do the same. Also, memes.
welcomingneighbors.us
- No matter how you slice it, we need more homes — especially more naturally affordable, humble housing options like duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes.
- "...the lack of homes is creating cutthroat competition, which is driving up prices, forcing out families, and making New Hampshire unaffordable for working class folks." Love it when our electeds get right to the point. Right on, Mayor @mattgerdingnh.bsky.social.
- Reposted by Welcoming Neighbors NetworkBig news for housing advocates: New polling shows strong, bipartisan support for more housing across Massachusetts—even when it means changes to neighborhood character or local control. The momentum is real, and it’s growing. www.abundanthousingma.org/resources/20...
- Environmental protections that maintain the sprawling status quo are not actually environmental protections.
- “Save our historic parking garage” belongs in the comics section, not the news
- There’s nothing progressive about refusing to build more homes – especially in the face of a globally infamous housing shortage.
- In a contest between 10,000 news homes (!) or one empty-most-of-the-time stadium, we are obviously on the side of more homes.
- “A lot of people in very wealthy communities, regardless of party, simply don’t want new neighbors ... It’s, ‘I moved to this town five years ago and no one else should ever get to live here.’ Every other argument is really cover for that quiet snobbery.”
- Environmental laws should protect the environment, full stop. Instead, they’re being abused to stop communities from building homes that require less land to house more people. Enough already.
- The North Carolina Housing Table is using "smart, equitable, proven policies" to create more homes of all shapes and sizes. "Our goal is to work diligently at the statewide level to build communities that are accessible, connected, and centered on the needs of North Carolinians.”
- “Zoning laws are these invisible barriers that decide who gets to live where, go to what schools, have different types of housing, shops, and go to parks based on the restrictions for what types of homes can be built where.” @lindseyportmn.bsky.social 💯
- Two laws Arizona passed today (led by @azneighborhood.bsky.social) that will enable more abundant housing in the state: 1. SB 1353 allows 3rd party permitting for new housing 2. SB 1182 expands the times construction is allowed during the day & evening Modest but meaningful steps forward!
- “California is the most expensive state for multifamily housing production in every cost category the authors considered.” Ugh, California, wyd. Hard to make homes affordable when building them costs more than anywhere else.
- “Ultimately, the only way [Los Angeles] is going to reach its housing goals is by changing its zoning to allow for more multifamily homes.”
- A new report from Brookings shows that the key driver of high housing costs is, you guessed it, the availability of housing. Even considering the cost of construction and other factors, increasing the number of homes is the biggest way to meet our shortage head-on.
- “Right now, there are too many opportunities in the process to put a wrench in the gears.” Making the public process more reliable and efficient for much-needed projects is a winning electoral strategy and a key to unlocking abundance in our communities.
- "It is exciting to see some states and cities finding ways to remove unnecessary hurdles ... Through these strategies, cities and states can privilege projects that get most things right, valuing progress and efficiency as much as they value other important concerns."
- When disaster strikes, our communities clear the way for recovery — suspending rules that get in the way. But many of these rules block housing every day – creating our current disaster-level housing shortage – and we should take a serious look at removing the unnecessary ones altogether.
- Portland legalized fourplexes with smart regulations a few years ago, and it's unlocking housing abundance and affordability beyond most people's highest expectations. Cities that need more homes regular people can afford (and who doesn't) should do likewise.
- "In 2020, [Portland, OR] approved building [middle housing] on lots zoned for single family homes... A new report from the City says, it's working. 1,400 new units built in just a few years and each one is $300,000 less expensive than a typical single family home." @nbcnews.com
- The #txlege has active bills on accessory dwelling units, allowing homes near jobs and transit, YIGBY, lot sizes, and reducing veto points for housing projects. If Texas moves these bills, this could be one of the most pro-homes legislative sessions anywhere. 👀
- A new United Way Worldwide survey proves, again, that housing is a top need for our communities. Americans are struggling to meet their basic needs. The time to act was yesterday; we need to catch up.
- Somebody aptly pointed out that Florida may be uniquely well-suited to mother-in-law units, given their extremely high rate of mothers-in-law per capita.
- Congrats to Florida on becoming the 3rd state to legalize Accessory Dwelling Units in 2025! That's Florida, Maryland, and Arkansas so far this year, with major momentum toward passage in several others. www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill...
- Absolutely enormous news.
- [BILL ALERT] SB 79, which broadly legalizes more homes near transit stops like train stations and rapid bus stops, has passed Senate Local Government! Learn more: cayimby.org/legislation/...
- Congrats to Florida on becoming the 3rd state to legalize Accessory Dwelling Units in 2025! That's Florida, Maryland, and Arkansas so far this year, with major momentum toward passage in several others. www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill...
- You’ll never guess what Columbus, Ohio area residents are most concerned about. (... It’s housing)
- When political candidates need a winning issue, they increasingly turn to housing. The people want more homes!
- Abundance is the antidote to scarcity. Scarcity created our housing shortage, and abundance can bring us out of it.
- To say more about this, many voters do not automatically understand or believe that classic supply & demand dynamics apply to housing. But supply & demand, esp. in the housing market, is *about power*. In a negotiation, the power lies with the one who can comfortably walk away. Voters get that.
- 1) This piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social is the absolute hottest fire. 2) Our message testing with @sightline.org showed that the balance of power between landlords & tenants / homesellers & homebuyers is the #1 best way to frame the stakes of housing abundance vs. scarcity for voters.
- 1) This piece from @resnikoff.bsky.social is the absolute hottest fire. 2) Our message testing with @sightline.org showed that the balance of power between landlords & tenants / homesellers & homebuyers is the #1 best way to frame the stakes of housing abundance vs. scarcity for voters.
- New from me in @thenation.com: A YIMBY theory of power and a rejoinder to critics who argue that YIMBYs are blind to class/corporate power www.thenation.com/article/soci...
- “The biggest battle for affordability is just availability of homes. We need to build and create more homes in Connecticut.”
- The Montana legislature's serious, bipartisan commitment to solving its housing shortage is an example that every state should be following.
- In both 2023 and 2025, Montana and Washington state showed that red and blue states alike can aggressively tackle America's nationwide housing shortage through bipartisan coalitions and a firm commitment to solving the problem through proven best practices. The rest of the country should take heed.
- Washington is the shining example of what a blue state can do when it takes abundance seriously. WA has spurned the everything bagel approach of some other blue states in favor of strong, clean pro-housing laws – arguably America's strongest. CC: @ezraklein.bsky.social & @dkthomp.bsky.social
- Reposted by Welcoming Neighbors Network[Not loaded yet]
- Led by @shelterwf.bsky.social, a second wave of pro-housing bills just passed in Montana: - Legalized apartments up to 60 ft. in commercial zones - Enacted major statewide parking reform - Legalized single-stair up to 6 stories - Capped impact fees increases. It's another Montana Miracle!
- Led by WNN member @futurewise.bsky.social, Washington state has passed the most ambitious, impactful transit-oriented development law in the country! WA has legalized apartments up to 4 stories on every lot near light rail & 3 stories near bus rapid transit. Absolutely MASSIVE win!
- To no one’s surprise, housing instability harms children’s educational, health, and economic outcomes. Fighting for housing abundance is not just about fixing our problems now. It’s about ensuring a prosperous future for our children.
- 4 million is a lot of homes — a shortage caused by decades of bad faith (in)action. We need a strategy for housing abundance in every community if we’re going to fix this.
- Hot off a big win for housing in Asheville, NC, Susan Bean isn't taking anything for granted. In the latest episode of The Stoop, she shares many lessons learned about how to advocate for more homes in the face of a less-than-great public process and while holding true to our values. Tune in! 🎙️
- When communities are hurting, their faith leaders rise to the challenge. In Austin, this means building more homes to fight displacement. We need state and local laws that empower this work in every community.
- “Why are starter homes so hard to find in much of the nation? Zoning regulations require a large amount of land for each house, known as minimum lot sizes.”
- we know how to make housing abundant btw. if you even care.
- Incredible things happening in Washington state, which just passed the stronger parking reform bill in the country (so far) with broad bipartisan support. Congrats to all the incredible pro-housing advocates & leaders there who made it happen!
- Single stair buildings are safe and more affordable. Let’s build a lot more of them.
- Single stair has landed in Austin, with a 10-1 vote no less! Huge win for abundance in the Texas capital. 🏆 Who’s next? 👀
