Robin Kniech

Closing some of the gap families face in the affordable housing crisis—one of Colorado & CO Governor’s top priorities—is on the side of workers. 5/

Democracy is on the side of 50%+1 elections for everyone else, why not workers? 4/

The Democratic Party platform is on the side of workers. 3/ www.hpae.org/wp-content/u...

The Fascist Movement’s Biggest Threat: Labor Unions? An interview with Paul Ortiz on how unions have fought Gov. Ron Desantis’ reactionary rule—and unions as an anti-fascist force.

Resistance to billionaires, fascism and Trump is on the side of workers. 2/ inthesetimes.com/article/unit...

TLDR: This bill isn’t a close call: 1) Public opinion nationally and in Colorado is on the side of workers. copollinginstitute.org/wp-content/u... 1/

Colorado's Labor DisPeace The other [taboo] half of the housing equation.

#Coleg is debating the Worker Protection Act now. If you missed my take on why bills like this relate to the other [taboo] half of the housing formula, check it out: open.substack.com/pub/robinkni...

Under the House GOP’s budget plan, the lowest-income taxpayers would see a LOSS of $1,125.

The richest 0.1 percent of taxpayers, on the other hand, would see a more than $180,000 GAIN.

This is trickle down economics on steroids.

YouTube video by Families Over Billionaires Tax Breaks

Did I see post-election naval gazing that progressives/Democrats just aren't funny enough? ICYMI @taxwarroom.bsky.social isn't conceding just yet: youtu.be/Mc8cTwjtE3k?... 😂😜

Never underestimate the housers.

#Denver is in the streets resisting: firings, pardons, unelected billionaires, attacks on our neighbors, funding cuts for everyone from farmers to education to veterans. Standing up for immigrants, transgender ppl, racial inclusion & constitution. In the 🥶❄️🌨️. This is what democracy looks like.

So exciting, go Gabi! What an important time for your voice to be elevated. Never been a more important time to advance @localprogress.bsky.social

And if you are in Jeffco, join my colleagues for an the Engagement and Advocacy in State and Local Government Town Hall starting at 9:30am at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood.

New 2024 data: Over 50% of GOP fundraising now comes from just 100 mega-donors.

Trump’s embrace of the billionaire class—and their embrace of him—will only supercharge this trend.

Statement Graphic: Local Electeds Call for Solidarity in the Fight Against Trump’s Divisive and Hateful Agenda

Trump’s agenda – which comes from a place of utter cruelty, racism, and greed – will be catastrophic for all of us.

We will NOT submit to this president’s brazen attempts to divide our communities & pit working people against one another.

Full statement: localprog.org/TrumpEAsStat...

Remember: The GOP uses dangerous smears against trans people, immigrants, and people of color to deflect attention from the near record share of the nation’s income and wealth now going to the richest Americans.

Don't let them get away with it.

Equitable ownership in a 2-6 plex is tougher, more innovation needed. That’s what Denver will be researching. Too small for inclusionary, but is there a blend where impact fees + subsidy can ensure 1 unit below 100% AMI? Or?? I def don’t have all answers. But want us to want more so we can move ➡️

We don’t use lotteries here, only fed vouchers do. But regardless that’s a delivery method, separate from the issue of whether a lower rent helps a lower income family. Evidence is pretty settled on that.

Though it isn’t consistent the term “filtering” typical refers to lowering of prices on older units. Research is fairly consistent on decades. Move chain research I discuss is different. It’s about opening more vacancies that ⬇️ competition, not lowering actual prices. Yes faster, not guaranteed.

Please know, I agree minor decreases are good news. But $16/mo doesn’t come close to reducing rent to levels for 60% of Den workers needing <60% AMI pricing. Invite us to see housing through eyes of those struggling. For them this is a failed promise, not a realized one. Better/new framing needed2/2

Let’s get more precise. This article reports a minuscule drop in *average* rents. Excellent news to extent data reliable. Other sources like Apt Assoc show a *slowing in increase* not a “decrease.” In either case renters don’t pay “averages” they pay actual. “Concessions” only help movers. 1/2

We have job centers throughout our region and as much out commuting as in based on travel pattern data by my CU colleague Carrie Makarewicz. Suburbs as capable of more diverse & dense housing as city with planning, political will. Agree sprawl not answer, but that’s not the state leg req or suggest

Definitely first. Maybe second in some cases, w/other policy layers. But more so ⬇️ immediate shortage at 50-80% AMI. Even “lower market rents” when supply works, won’t get <80%, public subsidy limited & needed most <50%. + not just rents. SF rezone to 2/4/6 begs short term eqtble 4sale strtgy too

Again if you read the whole chain: Denver’s pause in 1 set of n’hoods is temporary & amidst many upzonings. Statewide zoning reforms= chance 4 other cities catch up & carry more regional housing share in future. My invitation-think bigger, acknowledge nuance, don’t overstate what can be delivrd 4/4

We have to be much more honest about the long game these strategies represent. We can’t ignore the present lived reality, which is record growth w/record⬆️ prices. Not ⬇️. Thus the case in all my papers/columns for short term strategies (affordability req) WITH long term. 3/4

Many reasons those apts≠lower rent: lack of similar dense growth in suburbs, induced demand (added supply attracted more in-migration), wasn’t enough growth for whole region etc. Filtering takes *decades* & Denver’s rate among slowest in US per even pro-growth economists. 2/4

I acknowledge the complex evidence of housing supply in this paper. tinyurl.com/TOC-CO But when 30k new Denver apartments in 10 years coincide with record rent increases we can’t make overly simplified supply/cost cases honestly. Reality didn’t match model empirics. 1/4

Yes, it’s true that static SF zoning creates displacement pressure too. But that’s not the full story here. Imagine if the best supply minds around land use/zoning worked with equity and anti-displacement advocates on the new tools needed to thread these needles, instead of dismissing ea other. 6/6

Disparaging or dismissing displacement concerns doesn’t win support for zoning reforms. As long as we tell people they can care about displacement or supply but not both we will fail to build a lasting, broad base to win a different future. 5/6

4) This community has led the way with 1/4 of Denver’s recent ADU permits, most by women & BIPOC owners due to public $ and housing authority partnership. Proving you a*can* do supply & equity, together.

4/6

3) This councilmember & city just supported rezonings/plans for ~12,000 homes in 2 huge developments in/next to this area + many multi-family corridors.

3/6