Saad Asad
@realsaadasad.bsky.social
Comms @cayimby.bsky.social. Advocacy at YIMBY Dems of SD. Previously Product Marketing @ U.S. Digital Response. Tweets on housing, climate change, and San Diego/California politics
I think the journalist would be very open to your perspectives
February 11, 2026 at 6:40 AM
I think the journalist would be very open to your perspectives
California’s 270-day fast-track permitting for green energy is failing to bypass local gridlock.
The Compass storage project's pause proves that state overrides can’t fix bad project economics or intense local lawsuits.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The Compass storage project's pause proves that state overrides can’t fix bad project economics or intense local lawsuits.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
Navigating the permitting thicket without a Compass
Another of California’s expedited renewable energy projects has been snagged by delays.
www.politico.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:31 AM
California’s 270-day fast-track permitting for green energy is failing to bypass local gridlock.
The Compass storage project's pause proves that state overrides can’t fix bad project economics or intense local lawsuits.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
The Compass storage project's pause proves that state overrides can’t fix bad project economics or intense local lawsuits.
www.politico.com/newsletters/...
San Diego supervisor Paloma Aguirre wants $19M from reserves for South Bay sewage crisis—air purifiers and monitoring while kids get pneumonia from toxic air. Supervisor Anderson says "don't raid reserves."
fox5sandiego.com/news/local-n...
fox5sandiego.com/news/local-n...
County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre wants to tap into reserve funds for South Bay sewage crisis
San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre is calling on county leaders to divert millions of dollars from reserve funds to address what she describes as an ongoing public health emergency caused b…
fox5sandiego.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:31 AM
San Diego supervisor Paloma Aguirre wants $19M from reserves for South Bay sewage crisis—air purifiers and monitoring while kids get pneumonia from toxic air. Supervisor Anderson says "don't raid reserves."
fox5sandiego.com/news/local-n...
fox5sandiego.com/news/local-n...
Two California cities housed 75 homeless people using state grants and wraparound services—nearly all stayed housed. Housing-first works.
But the grant-dependent model isn't sustainable. Cities need ongoing funding streams, not competitive grant cycles.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/23/a...
But the grant-dependent model isn't sustainable. Cities need ongoing funding streams, not competitive grant cycles.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/23/a...
An Experiment to Move Homeless People Into Long-Term Housing Is Still Going Strong
Officials in Oceanside and Carlsbad are working on moving hundreds of unsheltered homeless people into housing. So far, it’s working.
voiceofsandiego.org
February 11, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Two California cities housed 75 homeless people using state grants and wraparound services—nearly all stayed housed. Housing-first works.
But the grant-dependent model isn't sustainable. Cities need ongoing funding streams, not competitive grant cycles.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/23/a...
But the grant-dependent model isn't sustainable. Cities need ongoing funding streams, not competitive grant cycles.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/23/a...
A coalition wants to replace San Diego's 1965 Civic Center with a $14B mixed-use hub: housing, theater, plaza, businesses. They claim moving City Hall to vacant buildings saves $325M over 20 years.
Big numbers...but from groups pushing the project.
fox5sandiego.com/news/local-n...
Big numbers...but from groups pushing the project.
fox5sandiego.com/news/local-n...
San Diego Civic Center revamp may boost economy by millions
A plan to revitalize the San Diego Civic Center Plaza could generate billions of dollars for the local economy, save the city millions and create a vibrant hub for the arts.
fox5sandiego.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:13 AM
A coalition wants to replace San Diego's 1965 Civic Center with a $14B mixed-use hub: housing, theater, plaza, businesses. They claim moving City Hall to vacant buildings saves $325M over 20 years.
Big numbers...but from groups pushing the project.
fox5sandiego.com/news/local-n...
Big numbers...but from groups pushing the project.
fox5sandiego.com/news/local-n...
South County faces a perfect storm: 340K residents rely on federal benefits Trump's cutting, schools closing from declining enrollment, teachers paying $1,500/month for healthcare.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/22/s...
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/22/s...
South County Report: A Year Under Trump
A big question for political observers has been whether South County voters would snap back once Trump took office.
voiceofsandiego.org
February 10, 2026 at 2:13 AM
South County faces a perfect storm: 340K residents rely on federal benefits Trump's cutting, schools closing from declining enrollment, teachers paying $1,500/month for healthcare.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/22/s...
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/22/s...
Next-gen geothermal can deliver clean, firm power to meet U.S. demand, but slow federal permitting and understaffed BLM offices stall projects, raise costs, and delay benefits for communities.
Streamlined review and clear lease timelines could unlock equitable energy growth.
Streamlined review and clear lease timelines could unlock equitable energy growth.
Thoughtful permitting reform can help expand next-generation geothermal
The United States has the heat, the technology, and growing investor interest to deploy enormous amounts of next-generation geothermal.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Next-gen geothermal can deliver clean, firm power to meet U.S. demand, but slow federal permitting and understaffed BLM offices stall projects, raise costs, and delay benefits for communities.
Streamlined review and clear lease timelines could unlock equitable energy growth.
Streamlined review and clear lease timelines could unlock equitable energy growth.
Yes, Claude is better than ChatGPT for most business-related writing and analysis. ChatGPT is better for just general knowledge questions (e.g. what can i cook with x y z ingredients). Gemini is better at writing than ChatGPT but worse at gen knowledge.
February 9, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Yes, Claude is better than ChatGPT for most business-related writing and analysis. ChatGPT is better for just general knowledge questions (e.g. what can i cook with x y z ingredients). Gemini is better at writing than ChatGPT but worse at gen knowledge.
North County cities now comply with state housing laws—but back a 2028 ballot measure to override them constitutionally. History shows this won't work: courts typically rule for housing.
Meanwhile, blocking housing keeps rents high and pushes working families further from jobs.
Meanwhile, blocking housing keeps rents high and pushes working families further from jobs.
North County Cities Are Conforming to State Housing Laws but Working to Change Them Behind the Scenes
Leaders of small cities are becoming increasingly resistant to state housing laws, but their strategy has changed.
buff.ly
February 8, 2026 at 8:29 PM
North County cities now comply with state housing laws—but back a 2028 ballot measure to override them constitutionally. History shows this won't work: courts typically rule for housing.
Meanwhile, blocking housing keeps rents high and pushes working families further from jobs.
Meanwhile, blocking housing keeps rents high and pushes working families further from jobs.
Gov. Hochul's affordability agenda rightly boosts housing and transit to cut costs and pollution for low-income families.
Her call to make utilities and data centers pay up is smart, but we need bolder action: scale renewables and nuclear for reliable clean energy.
Her call to make utilities and data centers pay up is smart, but we need bolder action: scale renewables and nuclear for reliable clean energy.
Evergreen Statement on Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address
These energy proposals are a start, but this moment demands more.
buff.ly
February 8, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Gov. Hochul's affordability agenda rightly boosts housing and transit to cut costs and pollution for low-income families.
Her call to make utilities and data centers pay up is smart, but we need bolder action: scale renewables and nuclear for reliable clean energy.
Her call to make utilities and data centers pay up is smart, but we need bolder action: scale renewables and nuclear for reliable clean energy.
San Diego imports 90% of its water over mountains, then turns to desalination that rivals aviation's carbon emissions.
Underwater plants promise 40% energy cuts, but wastewater recycling beats any desalination on cost and emissions.
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
Underwater plants promise 40% energy cuts, but wastewater recycling beats any desalination on cost and emissions.
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
In a warming world, freshwater production is moving deep beneath the sea
Climate change is driving a global boom in desalination as regions turn to the sea for drinking water
abcnews.go.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:29 PM
San Diego imports 90% of its water over mountains, then turns to desalination that rivals aviation's carbon emissions.
Underwater plants promise 40% energy cuts, but wastewater recycling beats any desalination on cost and emissions.
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
Underwater plants promise 40% energy cuts, but wastewater recycling beats any desalination on cost and emissions.
abcnews.go.com/Business/wir...
We should double its acreage in his honor
February 8, 2026 at 2:02 AM
We should double its acreage in his honor
Urban planning professor defends Midway Rising (4,200 units, half affordable, near transit) after court blocked it over height limits.
The debate is about whether a 50-year-old parking lot around an arena becomes a walkable village or stays auto sprawl.
timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2026...
The debate is about whether a 50-year-old parking lot around an arena becomes a walkable village or stays auto sprawl.
timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2026...
Opinion: 'Density' is not a dirty word. Stop trying to make it one.
Opponents of high-density housing have tried to turn the term into a dirty word. But Midway Rising shows how it can be a city's secret sauce.
timesofsandiego.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Urban planning professor defends Midway Rising (4,200 units, half affordable, near transit) after court blocked it over height limits.
The debate is about whether a 50-year-old parking lot around an arena becomes a walkable village or stays auto sprawl.
timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2026...
The debate is about whether a 50-year-old parking lot around an arena becomes a walkable village or stays auto sprawl.
timesofsandiego.com/opinion/2026...
San Diego ranks #2 nationally: 55% of spending goes to housing + transportation.
Here's the link: when homes near jobs are too expensive, people drive farther—maximizing both costs.
Solution? Build more housing near transit and jobs.
Here's the link: when homes near jobs are too expensive, people drive farther—maximizing both costs.
Solution? Build more housing near transit and jobs.
San Diego has the second-highest combined housing and transportation costs among major U.S. metros
San Diego is near the top of the U.S. in the share of annual spending that goes to housing. It's near the top in transportation spending too.
buff.ly
February 7, 2026 at 6:38 PM
San Diego ranks #2 nationally: 55% of spending goes to housing + transportation.
Here's the link: when homes near jobs are too expensive, people drive farther—maximizing both costs.
Solution? Build more housing near transit and jobs.
Here's the link: when homes near jobs are too expensive, people drive farther—maximizing both costs.
Solution? Build more housing near transit and jobs.
San Diego cut homelessness 7% from '24 to '25, but nearly 10,000 people still lack housing.
Now - temporary grants are ending, and federal vouchers are frozen.
We must build more housing at all income levels so we're not just cycling people through a broken system.
Now - temporary grants are ending, and federal vouchers are frozen.
We must build more housing at all income levels so we're not just cycling people through a broken system.
February 7, 2026 at 5:38 PM
San Diego cut homelessness 7% from '24 to '25, but nearly 10,000 people still lack housing.
Now - temporary grants are ending, and federal vouchers are frozen.
We must build more housing at all income levels so we're not just cycling people through a broken system.
Now - temporary grants are ending, and federal vouchers are frozen.
We must build more housing at all income levels so we're not just cycling people through a broken system.
San Diego Unified just approved 2,500 teacher housing units—tripling California's entire existing supply—without spending tax dollars. Developers pay for construction, district collects $504M over 99-year leases and keeps the land.
timesofsandiego.com/education/20...
timesofsandiego.com/education/20...
San Diego Unified poised to approve largest education workforce housing project in state history
The plan to redevelop five sites into affordable units could bring teachers and families back into a district with cratering enrollment.
timesofsandiego.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:08 AM
San Diego Unified just approved 2,500 teacher housing units—tripling California's entire existing supply—without spending tax dollars. Developers pay for construction, district collects $504M over 99-year leases and keeps the land.
timesofsandiego.com/education/20...
timesofsandiego.com/education/20...
Beta Street flooded repeatedly before getting $1.1M for fixes San Diego admits are "long overdue."
Climate adaptation funding is critical, but reactive spending after disasters costs more than proactive investment.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...
Climate adaptation funding is critical, but reactive spending after disasters costs more than proactive investment.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...
San Diego secures $4.6M in federal funds for critical stormwater projects
More than $4 million in federal funding is headed to San Diego for four stormwater infrastructure projects, including drainage improvements on Beta Street.
www.cbs8.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Beta Street flooded repeatedly before getting $1.1M for fixes San Diego admits are "long overdue."
Climate adaptation funding is critical, but reactive spending after disasters costs more than proactive investment.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...
Climate adaptation funding is critical, but reactive spending after disasters costs more than proactive investment.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...
Mandates blindfold judges to the fact that 75% of incarcerated women are abuse survivors.
We must end this trauma-to-prison pipeline.
The DVSJA restores judicial discretion, using evidence-based reform to prioritize rehabilitation over rigid retribution.
thegrio.com/2025/12/14/s...
We must end this trauma-to-prison pipeline.
The DVSJA restores judicial discretion, using evidence-based reform to prioritize rehabilitation over rigid retribution.
thegrio.com/2025/12/14/s...
'Set Her Free' documentary spotlights the fight for reduced sentences for domestic violence surviors in New Jersey
The documentary "Set Her Free" highlights the legislative fight to reduce prison sentencing for abuse survivors in New Jersey.
thegrio.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Mandates blindfold judges to the fact that 75% of incarcerated women are abuse survivors.
We must end this trauma-to-prison pipeline.
The DVSJA restores judicial discretion, using evidence-based reform to prioritize rehabilitation over rigid retribution.
thegrio.com/2025/12/14/s...
We must end this trauma-to-prison pipeline.
The DVSJA restores judicial discretion, using evidence-based reform to prioritize rehabilitation over rigid retribution.
thegrio.com/2025/12/14/s...
“I’ll give you my car lane when you pry it from my cold dead hands “
February 6, 2026 at 6:45 PM
“I’ll give you my car lane when you pry it from my cold dead hands “
Fear of ICE during the summer was largely responsible.
February 6, 2026 at 6:13 AM
Fear of ICE during the summer was largely responsible.
like are we being trolled? The second lane is eroding. We can’t stop Mother Nature, and yet they still demand the second lane!
February 6, 2026 at 5:57 AM
like are we being trolled? The second lane is eroding. We can’t stop Mother Nature, and yet they still demand the second lane!
Sunset Cliffs residents oppose one-way road conversion for climate adaptation, citing traffic, but sea levels will rise 5-14x faster this century.
The real choice isn't convenience vs. inconvenience; it's managed retreat now or emergency crisis later.
timesofsandiego.com/life/2026/01...
The real choice isn't convenience vs. inconvenience; it's managed retreat now or emergency crisis later.
timesofsandiego.com/life/2026/01...
Plan to preserve Sunset Cliffs from climate change rattles residents
The CRMP was adopted to counteract the effects of climate change on pilot sites in Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach and La Jolla.
timesofsandiego.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:45 AM
Sunset Cliffs residents oppose one-way road conversion for climate adaptation, citing traffic, but sea levels will rise 5-14x faster this century.
The real choice isn't convenience vs. inconvenience; it's managed retreat now or emergency crisis later.
timesofsandiego.com/life/2026/01...
The real choice isn't convenience vs. inconvenience; it's managed retreat now or emergency crisis later.
timesofsandiego.com/life/2026/01...
Trump's BLM wants to open 2M CA acres for drilling near state parks and schools—ignoring CA's fracking ban and setback laws Trump just sued over.
But analysts say it's mostly performative: aging fields, high costs, regulatory risk make it a "hard sell."
timesofsandiego.com/politics/202...
But analysts say it's mostly performative: aging fields, high costs, regulatory risk make it a "hard sell."
timesofsandiego.com/politics/202...
Will Trump’s push to drill on California public lands be successful this time?
The Bureau of Land Management has revived its effort to open more of California’s public lands to oil drilling and fracking.
timesofsandiego.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Trump's BLM wants to open 2M CA acres for drilling near state parks and schools—ignoring CA's fracking ban and setback laws Trump just sued over.
But analysts say it's mostly performative: aging fields, high costs, regulatory risk make it a "hard sell."
timesofsandiego.com/politics/202...
But analysts say it's mostly performative: aging fields, high costs, regulatory risk make it a "hard sell."
timesofsandiego.com/politics/202...
Clairemont gets its first plan update in 30 years, allowing up to 14,000 more homes, many of which are near transit.
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/c...
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/c...
Clairemont Community plan, aiming to bring 14,000 new homes, signed into law
Clairemont and the College Area could see thousands of additional housing units in the near future, along with increased mobility options and public spaces, thanks to a San Diego City Council…
www.nbcsandiego.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Clairemont gets its first plan update in 30 years, allowing up to 14,000 more homes, many of which are near transit.
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/c...
www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/c...
CT's 1-acre mandates inflate home prices by 13% per acre and block economic diversity.
Pro-Homes CT advocates for smaller lots to cut infrastructure costs by 38% and add 185k homes.
Let’s trade sprawl for smart, affordable, and walkable communities.
pro-homesct.org/lots
Pro-Homes CT advocates for smaller lots to cut infrastructure costs by 38% and add 185k homes.
Let’s trade sprawl for smart, affordable, and walkable communities.
pro-homesct.org/lots
Sensible Lot Sizes — Pro-Homes CT
We are excited to change names to Pro-Homes Connecticut. Please bear with us as we update the website.
pro-homesct.org
February 5, 2026 at 5:12 AM
CT's 1-acre mandates inflate home prices by 13% per acre and block economic diversity.
Pro-Homes CT advocates for smaller lots to cut infrastructure costs by 38% and add 185k homes.
Let’s trade sprawl for smart, affordable, and walkable communities.
pro-homesct.org/lots
Pro-Homes CT advocates for smaller lots to cut infrastructure costs by 38% and add 185k homes.
Let’s trade sprawl for smart, affordable, and walkable communities.
pro-homesct.org/lots