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Jenny Schuetz

@jennyschuetz.bsky.social
6.7K followers 903 following 473 posts

Housing policy wonk. Forever bullish on cities. VP of Housing at Arnold Ventures.

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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Fall gardening. We accidentally grew an ornamental squash vine (remnants of last year’s decoration that the squirrels ate). This year squirrels also picked two little ones before we could. Can’t really blame them, the gourds are cute.
Huge green leaves and golden blossoms on our accidental squash vine. Small round light green baby gourd just peeking out. Green and white baby gourd sitting on a red brick front porch. Yellow and green baby gourd on a grey dining table. Not quite blooming orange mums in a terracotta planter on a brick front step.
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Reposted by Jenny Schuetz
David Roberts @volts.wtf · 09/10/2026
Today on Volts: the new federal permitting bill is 417 pages long. Some people love it, some hate it, some are just confused. With Daniel Palken, I methodically walk through why it's happening, what exactly is in it, & the political rationale for doing it now. This one is epic & fairly technical.
volts.wtf
What’s up with the new federal permitting reform bill?
A conversation with Daniel Palken of Arnold Ventures.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Are you saying that normie voters don't memorize housing bill numbers and scrutinize fine print in bills? [shocked face]
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
100%. People often get mad before/right after something gets built, but the sky doesn't fall and they get over being mad.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Polls may suggest that aesthetically cute duplexes & ADUs are more popular than 6-story apartments in commercial zones. That doesn't mean it's the "better" policy. We've got to do the hard work to persuade people to support effective policies.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Example: rent control polls well among left voters who care about affordability. But rent control *doesn't* actually lower cost burdens for existing renters! Freezing rent going forward is *not* very helpful to severely burdened poor renters today. Make the political case for more vouchers!
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
In theory, it would be nice to find popular, poll-tested policies to run, but I don't that's realistic or the right way for advocates to plan. Figure out from economic theory & data which policies will *work* to unlock supply, then develop compelling ways to market those.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I'm skeptical that most people who aren't immersed in the housing policy ecosystem (which is to say, >90% of voters) hold deeply thought-out committed positions on *any* housing policies. Surveys on what's popular mostly capture noise; question framing & wording matters a ton.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Friday 10/9 is the deadline to register for the housing policy simulator challenge! Play with data, make a cool model, solve the housing crisis, what could be more fun?
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Spent today with a bunch of other housing policy wonks nerding out over better ways to measure housing production. 12/10 highly recommend
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Embracing fall with pumpkin pecan oatmeal scones. 🍁
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
That’s what we’re trying to find out!
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
(This is the kind of simulator challenge I would have loved to try in grad school, although non-student participants of all kinds are also very welcome. Interdisciplinary teams definitely encouraged.)
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Exciting new project for housing policy wonks & data scientists! Want to create a tool to help state policymakers develop rough estimates of how much housing could be unlocked with different policy reforms? Sure you do! housingchallenge.turnout.rocks
housingchallenge.turnout.rocks
Housing Data and Technology Innovation Challenge
A nine-week remote open-source challenge to build transparent tools that estimate how state-level housing reforms affect housing supply.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
We believe in a portfolio approach: support a bunch of YIMBY orgs and increase the probability that several of them will get wins over a few years. (As they have.)
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Who else is obsessed with the new species of cat? So freaking adorable.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Love this from @dylanmatt.bsky.social: "People not yet residing in a city have an interest in there being enough housing ...but they do not get to vote in city elections. Philanthropic support for YIMBY groups thus gives them influence they’d lack through formal democratic channels."
theargumentmag.com
I changed my mind about Big Philanthropy
The democratic case for billionaire giving
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Progressive NIMBYs keep finding new coded ways to say no to more neighbors.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Homes are good! Windows and balconies, also good. Sidewalks and trees, love. (Are there people who *aren’t* interested in infill housing?)
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
"We have more homes per capita than any time in history, therefore we can't possibly have a housing shortage" without addressing falling household size is a pretty unconvincing take. Or highly self-motivated reasoning.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Yesterday I prepped (minimal cooking involved) this zucchini & chickpea salad. Whole thing is delicious, but the whipped cottage cheese w basil is addictive. cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/7861...
cooking.nytimes.com
Zucchini and Crispy Chickpeas With Whipped Cottage Cheese
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Legalize Adorable Dragon Units everywhere.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
If you're curious about my talk, check out my conversation with Stephanie Nakhleh, in which we discuss the politics of housing, balancing climate resilience with affordability concerns, and why more people should read Henry George. stephnakhleh.substack.com/p/what-does-...
stephnakhleh.substack.com
What does it take to live in Santa Fe?
Jenny Schuetz on developer fees, taxing land instead of buildings, and building housing where it won’t burn.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Hey friends! I'll be in Santa Fe this week for Homewise's Livability Speaker series. Come hang out on Thursday! www.livabilityspeakerseries.com/event
livabilityspeakerseries.com
Events — Livability Speaker Series
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Political problems—like the housing shortage—can’t be solved without winning hearts & minds. New technology & financial engineering can’t substitute for the human labor intensive work of connecting with other people, building trust, building relationships. Sadly, there is no shortcut.
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Reposted by Jenny Schuetz
Warren Wells, AICP @warrenjwells.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Ahhh, the Berkeley special. "Equality and inclusion, but not in a way that changes my neighborhood."
Yard signs about inclusion and equality and another opposing a local rezoning
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Does your community or organization have an exciting new policy, program, or approach to making housing more affordable & abundant? Tell your story at @yimby.town! Today's the deadline to submit proposals - we welcome creative formats, including posters & workshops. yimby.town
yimby.town
YIMBYtown 2026 | Raleigh, NC — Nov 17-19
YIMBYtown, the biggest national pro-homes conference in the country, is coming south to Raleigh, NC! Tickets are now available »
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
DC friends, please be considerate of your fellow bus riders today. Wear deodorant.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Happy July 4th from Scotland! Thistles really do abound. And special shoutout to the wee fire truck that does just fine without requiring extra wide streets.
A bumblebee wallowing inside a bright purple wild rose blossom. Lavender thistle blossom against a green grass field. A wee Scottish fire truck Tall houses with many, many chimney pots against a gray sky
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Making it easier to build homes of all shapes and sizes is good policy and good politics, on both sides of the aisle and all levels of government. Congress Clears Housing Bill, Cementing a Rare Bipartisan Feat www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/u...
nytimes.com
Congress Clears Housing Bill, Cementing a Rare Bipartisan Feat
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Elect more renters!
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Housing friends! Has your community passed an exciting zoning reform? Are you experimenting with lower-cost ways to build homes of all shapes & sizes? Tell your story at YIMBYtown in Raleigh this November! Call for sessions closes on June 29: whova.com/call_for_spe...
whova.com
Call for Proposals — YIMBYtown 2026 | Raleigh, NC
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Ah, got it. A non-ranking can't translate into a vote for a candidate, while a last rank could if others are eliminated. But if your lowest preference is likely to be among the top 2, in practice leaving them off entirely is unlikely to change the final outcome.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
100%
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
It feels like we have simultaneously too much direct democracy (voting on obscure positions I know nothing about) and too little (preferences of small minority of noisy NIMBYs overrule quiet majority).
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Ah, interesting! So whether I rank my least favorite #2, #5, or not at all likely won't impact outcomes?
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Also if any DC folks have insights Ward 4 Committee chairs & National committee chairs, please share. I have no idea what those roles do, nor what the "Free DC" vs "Democrats United to Free DC" slates represent. 🤷‍♀️
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Question on RCV strategies. Let's say >5 candidates are running for same role. I can rank 5 choices. 2 candidates are well known & most likely to win, others are essentially unknown. If the 2 best known include my 1st choice & last choice, how should I rank choices 2-5 (top choice obv gets #1)? Thx!
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Tried a new NYT cooking recipe: jalapeño cheddar zucchini bread. Very chunky consistency (an entire shredded zucchini & handful of scallions), nice savory flavors. Good for snacking.
Loaf of fresh baked zucchini bread cooking on a rack. Golden brown top has a rough texture from lots of shredded zucchini, cheddar, and topped with slices of pickled jalapeños.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Housing researchers, there's a Call for Papers from Cityscape for analysis on state & local pro-housing reforms! This is a great opportunity to share with a broad policymaker audience your insights on what's working and what's not. www.huduser.gov/portal/perio...
huduser.gov
Call for Papers: Pro-Housing State and Local Reforms | HUD USER
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Yes, indeed. America Needs to Build More Housing www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Opinion | America Needs to Build More Housing
Basic economic principles point to the solution for the housing affordability crisis.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
To hell with passive voice headlines. Driver kills 80-year old crossing guard and injures 3 kids. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/n...
nytimes.com
Crossing Guard Is Fatally Hit by Car in New Jersey While Escorting Children
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Medieval Spanish bureaucracy *must* have been less cumbersome than modern-day statehouses. Unless NM still requires bill text to be written with quills?
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
The simplified version of "how a bill becomes a law" that I learned in high school civics class in no way prepared me for the 50 idiosyncratic Rube Goldberg machines that constitute state legislative processes.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Begging NYC & NYS policymakers to please fix your underlying property tax system. Set assessed values at accurate market value across all property classes. Set reasonable homestead exemption to protect moderate-income homeowners. Update annually. Higher tax rate on land highly encouraged.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Come join my team! We're hiring an Analyst to join AV's housing team. This is a great opportunity for early-career folks interested in the pro-housing ecosystem to support philanthropic investments, advocacy, and policy engagement. Details below: www.arnoldventures.org/careers/infr...
arnoldventures.org
Arnold Ventures | Infrastructure Analyst, Housing
Explore careers at Arnold Ventures and join teams working toward lasting, measurable change.
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Project Row Houses in Houston is the perfect combination of history, architecture, art, and community. Love.
Front view of tall narrow house with porch and colorful mosaic walkway. Mosaic walkway set into grassConcrete steps leading up to old garage. Ceramic tiles are set into the front side of each step. Underside view of peaked roof with exposed structural beams
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
"Raise taxes on wealthy older adults" is terrible politics but good policy. Property tax exemptions for older homeowners stem from good intentions but are actually regressive, because they reduce the availability of homes for younger, less wealthy renters. www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Older Americans Are Hoarding America’s Potential
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
This post in my neighborhood listserv fills me w/ delight: "I would literally love to see more MF across the street from me. Cities should change & grow, they are interesting places to be because they are dynamic. I think more folks should be able to join us in our wonderful neighborhood."
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Jenny Schuetz @jennyschuetz.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
What’s better than a tax on “luxury” second homes? A tax on expensive land, not dependent on who owns it.
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