The Stoop

In this episode of The Stoop, Montana Representative Katie Zolnikov and former Representative Danny Tenenbaum explain how a cross-partisan coalition of mostly younger lawmakers and advocates passed the so-called “Montana miracle” — a suite of statewide pro-housing reforms in 2023 that legalized ADUs, allowed duplexes in single-family zones, expanded mixed-use development, and created the Montana Land Use and Planning Act to require realistic growth planning. They describe how they built agreement across ideologies, pushed back on “local control” and “neighborhood character” arguments, added 2025 parking reform, and are now watching how cities like Missoula and Bozeman implement and build on these changes, offering their experience as a model for housing advocates and legislators in other states.

Daniel Herriges, policy director and urbanist working to accelerate parking reform, and Anna Fahey, strategy lead on sustainability and housing messaging, unpack parking reform communication. They outline a three-step messaging framework. Discussion covers tying parking to housing costs, climate and safety, using local examples and visuals, and asking for flexible rules to build broad support.

Recap some of the highlights from Season 1 — including clips from episodes with Graham Downey from Anchorage, Carlie Boos from Columbus, Susan Bean from Asheville, Jake Hinman from Arizona, and Dan Reed from greater Washington — and some preview of what's to come in Season 2.

In this episode of "The Stoop," Cutter González hosts a discussion with Grace Murray, Nick Taylor, and Matt Mooshian about recent housing policy wins in New Hampshire. They discuss the passage of House Bill 631, which allows for mixed-use districts and expanded accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and parking reforms. The conversation highlights the importance of a broad coalition, including young people, in advocating for these policies. They also emphasize the role of storytelling and data in building public support and the challenges of navigating local control arguments. The episode concludes with reflections on future plans and the impact of these policies on New Hampshire's housing landscape.

Catie Gould and Kate Brunette Kreuzer discuss recent housing reforms in Washington State. They highlight significant achievements, including the passage of a major parking reform bill, transit-oriented development legislation, lot splits, and more. These reforms aim to increase housing proximity, reduce barriers to new housing production, and create affordability. They also address the challenges of balancing affordability with development incentives. An iterative policy-making process and leveraging current political momentum for housing reform helped get the job done.

Karen DuBois Walton, Ph.D., from the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and Pete Harrison from DesegregateCT discuss the near-win of this year's Work-Live-Ride bill in the Connecticut Legislature. They also talk about local policy progress and the fast-approaching YIMBYtown, the national pro-housing convening, which they are co-hosting in New Haven this September.

Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Executive Director of Abundant Housing MA, and Burhan Azeem, the youngest Cambridge City Councillor, share their insights on groundbreaking zoning reforms in Cambridge. They discuss the elimination of single-family zoning and the introduction of six-story buildings to tackle housing shortages. Their advocacy efforts, rooted in over a decade of community organizing, highlight the critical connection between local actions and state support. They also reflect on the impact of Cambridge's ranked-choice voting in advancing progressive housing policies.

Susan Bean, from Mountain True, discusses her transition from community engagement to housing and transportation policy advocacy, driven by the need for immediate community benefits. She details Asheville's recent changes to its Unified Development Ordinances, including eliminating parking requirements, increasing building heights, and streamlining approvals for larger housing projects. These changes aim to increase housing on transit corridors. She also addresses the challenges of balancing these policies with the concerns of legacy neighborhoods, emphasizing the importance of trust and relationship-building. Despite the complexities and emotional toll, she understands the policies were a step forward, acknowledging the need for continued advocacy and community engagement.

Carlie Boos discusses her journey from ballet to law school and her transition to housing advocacy during the 2007 housing crisis. Carlie, now leading the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO), highlights their mission to address housing gaps through research, data, and community education. AHACO's successes include passing $250 million in affordable housing bonds, zoning reform, and an access to counsel law. They recently conducted a community survey revealing that 50% of Central Ohio residents are personally affected by the housing shortage, with 80% supporting more missing middle housing. Carlie emphasizes the importance of human-centered design and protecting NIMBYs to preemptively address housing issues.

In this engaging talk, Sam Diaz, Executive Director at 1000 Friends of Oregon, shares his family's immigration story while advocating for housing solutions. Mary Kyle McCurdy, Associate Director and Managing Attorney, dives into the transformative Middle Housing Bill, which has significantly increased housing diversity in Portland. They explore the intersection of zoning laws and segregation, the impact of local governance in infrastructure funding, and the vital role of bipartisan support in tackling Oregon's housing crisis.