Jonathan Berk 🏠
@berkie1.bsky.social
Supporting a new generation of walkable neighborhoods with housing abundance, active public realms, & thriving small business ecosystems. Founder remainplaces.com
“In the first six months of Congestion Pricing, air pollution, in the form of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller [linked to increses in heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, COPD, and respiratory infections], dropped by 22% in the CRZ.”
December 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
“In the first six months of Congestion Pricing, air pollution, in the form of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller [linked to increses in heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, COPD, and respiratory infections], dropped by 22% in the CRZ.”
I love Massachusetts.
It's for that reason that I fight so hard every day for change.
Headlines like this disturb me deeply.
If we continue to refuse to recognize the severity of our housing crisis, & act accordingly, we will destroy everything we all love about Massachusetts.
It's for that reason that I fight so hard every day for change.
Headlines like this disturb me deeply.
If we continue to refuse to recognize the severity of our housing crisis, & act accordingly, we will destroy everything we all love about Massachusetts.
December 8, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I love Massachusetts.
It's for that reason that I fight so hard every day for change.
Headlines like this disturb me deeply.
If we continue to refuse to recognize the severity of our housing crisis, & act accordingly, we will destroy everything we all love about Massachusetts.
It's for that reason that I fight so hard every day for change.
Headlines like this disturb me deeply.
If we continue to refuse to recognize the severity of our housing crisis, & act accordingly, we will destroy everything we all love about Massachusetts.
“Faced with a dire housing shortage and rising prices that are driving families out of the state and harming the economy, Massachusetts should be scrutinizing every regulatory obstacle to housing, and getting rid of rules that no longer make sense.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/07/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/07/o...
Tame the ‘ghost haunting land use law’ - The Boston Globe
Site plan reviews can become a backdoor permitting process that blocks development.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:43 PM
“Faced with a dire housing shortage and rising prices that are driving families out of the state and harming the economy, Massachusetts should be scrutinizing every regulatory obstacle to housing, and getting rid of rules that no longer make sense.”
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/07/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/07/o...
Reposted by Jonathan Berk 🏠
In July 2024, a rent control policy went into effect in portions of Montgomery County Maryland that capped annual rent increases at CPI + 3% (max 6%) for buildings older than 23-years old.
New multifamily permits dropped from 2,093 in the first 8-months of 2024 to 54 in 2025.
New multifamily permits dropped from 2,093 in the first 8-months of 2024 to 54 in 2025.
December 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
In July 2024, a rent control policy went into effect in portions of Montgomery County Maryland that capped annual rent increases at CPI + 3% (max 6%) for buildings older than 23-years old.
New multifamily permits dropped from 2,093 in the first 8-months of 2024 to 54 in 2025.
New multifamily permits dropped from 2,093 in the first 8-months of 2024 to 54 in 2025.
In July 2024, a rent control policy went into effect in portions of Montgomery County Maryland that capped annual rent increases at CPI + 3% (max 6%) for buildings older than 23-years old.
New multifamily permits dropped from 2,093 in the first 8-months of 2024 to 54 in 2025.
New multifamily permits dropped from 2,093 in the first 8-months of 2024 to 54 in 2025.
December 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
In July 2024, a rent control policy went into effect in portions of Montgomery County Maryland that capped annual rent increases at CPI + 3% (max 6%) for buildings older than 23-years old.
New multifamily permits dropped from 2,093 in the first 8-months of 2024 to 54 in 2025.
New multifamily permits dropped from 2,093 in the first 8-months of 2024 to 54 in 2025.
Allowing a variety of housing types within our communities is a key to greater housing & community stability.
A 2020 study found that neighborhoods with greater housing diversity experienced significantly lower foreclosure and sales rates during the 2008 housing crisis.
A 2020 study found that neighborhoods with greater housing diversity experienced significantly lower foreclosure and sales rates during the 2008 housing crisis.
December 2, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Allowing a variety of housing types within our communities is a key to greater housing & community stability.
A 2020 study found that neighborhoods with greater housing diversity experienced significantly lower foreclosure and sales rates during the 2008 housing crisis.
A 2020 study found that neighborhoods with greater housing diversity experienced significantly lower foreclosure and sales rates during the 2008 housing crisis.
Reposted by Jonathan Berk 🏠
“These dynamics underscore the powerful role of hope: belief in the attainability of homeownership shapes savings, work effort, and investment decisions in compounding ways over the life cycle, with profound implications for long-run wealth inequality.”
November 30, 2025 at 10:11 PM
“These dynamics underscore the powerful role of hope: belief in the attainability of homeownership shapes savings, work effort, and investment decisions in compounding ways over the life cycle, with profound implications for long-run wealth inequality.”
“These dynamics underscore the powerful role of hope: belief in the attainability of homeownership shapes savings, work effort, and investment decisions in compounding ways over the life cycle, with profound implications for long-run wealth inequality.”
November 30, 2025 at 10:11 PM
“These dynamics underscore the powerful role of hope: belief in the attainability of homeownership shapes savings, work effort, and investment decisions in compounding ways over the life cycle, with profound implications for long-run wealth inequality.”
Boston's zoning code is broken.
You shouldn't need a slew of variances to build a triple-decker, particularly in a neighborhood where the street already has multiple triple-deckers with identical dimensions.
99% of Boston's residential lots do not comply with current zoning.
You shouldn't need a slew of variances to build a triple-decker, particularly in a neighborhood where the street already has multiple triple-deckers with identical dimensions.
99% of Boston's residential lots do not comply with current zoning.
November 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Boston's zoning code is broken.
You shouldn't need a slew of variances to build a triple-decker, particularly in a neighborhood where the street already has multiple triple-deckers with identical dimensions.
99% of Boston's residential lots do not comply with current zoning.
You shouldn't need a slew of variances to build a triple-decker, particularly in a neighborhood where the street already has multiple triple-deckers with identical dimensions.
99% of Boston's residential lots do not comply with current zoning.
Reposted by Jonathan Berk 🏠
In 2019, Oregon became the first state to implement statewide rent control at 7% + CPI increase (10% max).
A 2026 ballot question will ask Massachusetts voters to set a statewide rent control of CPI increase OR 5%, whichever is less.
The avg. CPI increase since 2000 is 2.56%.
A 2026 ballot question will ask Massachusetts voters to set a statewide rent control of CPI increase OR 5%, whichever is less.
The avg. CPI increase since 2000 is 2.56%.
November 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
In 2019, Oregon became the first state to implement statewide rent control at 7% + CPI increase (10% max).
A 2026 ballot question will ask Massachusetts voters to set a statewide rent control of CPI increase OR 5%, whichever is less.
The avg. CPI increase since 2000 is 2.56%.
A 2026 ballot question will ask Massachusetts voters to set a statewide rent control of CPI increase OR 5%, whichever is less.
The avg. CPI increase since 2000 is 2.56%.
In 2019, Oregon became the first state to implement statewide rent control at 7% + CPI increase (10% max).
A 2026 ballot question will ask Massachusetts voters to set a statewide rent control of CPI increase OR 5%, whichever is less.
The avg. CPI increase since 2000 is 2.56%.
A 2026 ballot question will ask Massachusetts voters to set a statewide rent control of CPI increase OR 5%, whichever is less.
The avg. CPI increase since 2000 is 2.56%.
November 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
In 2019, Oregon became the first state to implement statewide rent control at 7% + CPI increase (10% max).
A 2026 ballot question will ask Massachusetts voters to set a statewide rent control of CPI increase OR 5%, whichever is less.
The avg. CPI increase since 2000 is 2.56%.
A 2026 ballot question will ask Massachusetts voters to set a statewide rent control of CPI increase OR 5%, whichever is less.
The avg. CPI increase since 2000 is 2.56%.
This 1800s duplex packs over 6,000sf of total living space, with a shared backyard, on a small 4,300sf lot.
This is illegal to build essentially everywhere in Massachusetts today… including on this same lot.
📍Salem, MA
This is illegal to build essentially everywhere in Massachusetts today… including on this same lot.
📍Salem, MA
November 24, 2025 at 12:00 AM
This 1800s duplex packs over 6,000sf of total living space, with a shared backyard, on a small 4,300sf lot.
This is illegal to build essentially everywhere in Massachusetts today… including on this same lot.
📍Salem, MA
This is illegal to build essentially everywhere in Massachusetts today… including on this same lot.
📍Salem, MA
“Residents of Salem and other nearby towns might reasonably ask why they should accept housing pressure from Marblehead while we continue to receive millions of their tax dollars in state aid each year through UGGA, Chapter 70 and other programs.”
November 23, 2025 at 6:32 PM
“Residents of Salem and other nearby towns might reasonably ask why they should accept housing pressure from Marblehead while we continue to receive millions of their tax dollars in state aid each year through UGGA, Chapter 70 and other programs.”
Reposted by Jonathan Berk 🏠
“For the first time since 1959, it is now legal to build new corner stores in residential neighbourhoods across Toronto.”
November 15, 2025 at 11:03 PM
“For the first time since 1959, it is now legal to build new corner stores in residential neighbourhoods across Toronto.”
Reposted by Jonathan Berk 🏠
The wildest part of the South End isn’t the brownstones… it’s that Boston built something beautiful, loved it, and then spent decades making sure no one could ever do it again anywhere in Massachusetts.
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The wildest part of the South End isn’t the brownstones… it’s that Boston built something beautiful, loved it, and then spent decades making sure no one could ever do it again anywhere in Massachusetts.
Reposted by Jonathan Berk 🏠
"Housing, housing, housing is the issue that I hear everywhere I go... we need to produce more housing in order to lower the cost.
I have charged Senator Cyr [Housing Committee Chair] with the task 'Be bold. Nothing is off the table.'"
- Massachusetts Senate President Spilka
I have charged Senator Cyr [Housing Committee Chair] with the task 'Be bold. Nothing is off the table.'"
- Massachusetts Senate President Spilka
November 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"Housing, housing, housing is the issue that I hear everywhere I go... we need to produce more housing in order to lower the cost.
I have charged Senator Cyr [Housing Committee Chair] with the task 'Be bold. Nothing is off the table.'"
- Massachusetts Senate President Spilka
I have charged Senator Cyr [Housing Committee Chair] with the task 'Be bold. Nothing is off the table.'"
- Massachusetts Senate President Spilka
Culver City becomes the first California city to allow [again] six-story apartment buildings with just one staircase.
🪜up to 6-floors
📐4,000sf max floor plates
🪜up to 6-floors
📐4,000sf max floor plates
November 23, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Culver City becomes the first California city to allow [again] six-story apartment buildings with just one staircase.
🪜up to 6-floors
📐4,000sf max floor plates
🪜up to 6-floors
📐4,000sf max floor plates
"Housing, housing, housing is the issue that I hear everywhere I go... we need to produce more housing in order to lower the cost.
I have charged Senator Cyr [Housing Committee Chair] with the task 'Be bold. Nothing is off the table.'"
- Massachusetts Senate President Spilka
I have charged Senator Cyr [Housing Committee Chair] with the task 'Be bold. Nothing is off the table.'"
- Massachusetts Senate President Spilka
November 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"Housing, housing, housing is the issue that I hear everywhere I go... we need to produce more housing in order to lower the cost.
I have charged Senator Cyr [Housing Committee Chair] with the task 'Be bold. Nothing is off the table.'"
- Massachusetts Senate President Spilka
I have charged Senator Cyr [Housing Committee Chair] with the task 'Be bold. Nothing is off the table.'"
- Massachusetts Senate President Spilka
The wildest part of the South End isn’t the brownstones… it’s that Boston built something beautiful, loved it, and then spent decades making sure no one could ever do it again anywhere in Massachusetts.
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The wildest part of the South End isn’t the brownstones… it’s that Boston built something beautiful, loved it, and then spent decades making sure no one could ever do it again anywhere in Massachusetts.
“For the first time since 1959, it is now legal to build new corner stores in residential neighbourhoods across Toronto.”
November 15, 2025 at 11:03 PM
“For the first time since 1959, it is now legal to build new corner stores in residential neighbourhoods across Toronto.”
56%, or 1.8 million acres, of residentially zoned land in Massachusetts requires at least a 40,000sf lot to build a single-family home.
Only 3%, 102,000 acres, allows homes on lots of 10,000sf or less.
@zoningatlas.bsky.social
Only 3%, 102,000 acres, allows homes on lots of 10,000sf or less.
@zoningatlas.bsky.social
November 11, 2025 at 10:30 PM
56%, or 1.8 million acres, of residentially zoned land in Massachusetts requires at least a 40,000sf lot to build a single-family home.
Only 3%, 102,000 acres, allows homes on lots of 10,000sf or less.
@zoningatlas.bsky.social
Only 3%, 102,000 acres, allows homes on lots of 10,000sf or less.
@zoningatlas.bsky.social
Reposted by Jonathan Berk 🏠
Baby, it’s ALL God’s backyard. #YIGBY
“Christian love and hospitality are responses to God’s generosity. We are often exceptionally good at showing hospitality in our private homes, but we may not have considered how we and our spaces might be unhospitable on a greater, bureaucratic level.”
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/hosp...
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/hosp...
Charity Begins with Zoning Reforms - Christianity Today
Stewarding our neighborhoods is part of Christian hospitality.
www.christianitytoday.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Baby, it’s ALL God’s backyard. #YIGBY
“Christian love and hospitality are responses to God’s generosity. We are often exceptionally good at showing hospitality in our private homes, but we may not have considered how we and our spaces might be unhospitable on a greater, bureaucratic level.”
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/hosp...
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/hosp...
Charity Begins with Zoning Reforms - Christianity Today
Stewarding our neighborhoods is part of Christian hospitality.
www.christianitytoday.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
“Christian love and hospitality are responses to God’s generosity. We are often exceptionally good at showing hospitality in our private homes, but we may not have considered how we and our spaces might be unhospitable on a greater, bureaucratic level.”
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/hosp...
www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/hosp...
We lost my grandmother last night at 102. She lived her life with kindness and respect, setting an example for all of us.
She always said the secret to her long, healthy life was just that: kindness and respect for others.
It’s a lesson we could all use a little more of today.
She always said the secret to her long, healthy life was just that: kindness and respect for others.
It’s a lesson we could all use a little more of today.
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 AM
We lost my grandmother last night at 102. She lived her life with kindness and respect, setting an example for all of us.
She always said the secret to her long, healthy life was just that: kindness and respect for others.
It’s a lesson we could all use a little more of today.
She always said the secret to her long, healthy life was just that: kindness and respect for others.
It’s a lesson we could all use a little more of today.
New England has some of the largest minimum lot size requirements in the country.
These rules make it illegal to build the kinds of modest homes that already define many of our neighborhoods, driving up prices, restricting new housing, and freezing communities in time.
These rules make it illegal to build the kinds of modest homes that already define many of our neighborhoods, driving up prices, restricting new housing, and freezing communities in time.
November 9, 2025 at 10:17 PM
New England has some of the largest minimum lot size requirements in the country.
These rules make it illegal to build the kinds of modest homes that already define many of our neighborhoods, driving up prices, restricting new housing, and freezing communities in time.
These rules make it illegal to build the kinds of modest homes that already define many of our neighborhoods, driving up prices, restricting new housing, and freezing communities in time.