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
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...
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...
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
CA gov candidates clash on climate: Dems want EVs cheaper, dense transit housing, corporate polluter taxes.
Republican Hilton calls density a "war on family homes," wants single-family sprawl.
www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/02/h...
Republican Hilton calls density a "war on family homes," wants single-family sprawl.
www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/02/h...
How California governor candidates say they will tackle environmental issues
Climate policy and affordability go hand-in-hand, many of candidates to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
www.eastbaytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:12 AM
CA gov candidates clash on climate: Dems want EVs cheaper, dense transit housing, corporate polluter taxes.
Republican Hilton calls density a "war on family homes," wants single-family sprawl.
www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/02/h...
Republican Hilton calls density a "war on family homes," wants single-family sprawl.
www.eastbaytimes.com/2026/02/02/h...
Zoning codes make the fastest-growing housing fix in WA—tiny homes on wheels—illegal.
This often forces seniors into predatory mobile home parks or homelessness.
A new WA bill would legalize backyard mobile dwelling units to provide stable, low-cost homes.
www.sightline.org/2026/01/26/f...
This often forces seniors into predatory mobile home parks or homelessness.
A new WA bill would legalize backyard mobile dwelling units to provide stable, low-cost homes.
www.sightline.org/2026/01/26/f...
Fast, Affordable, Illegal
Fast, Affordable, Illegal
www.sightline.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Zoning codes make the fastest-growing housing fix in WA—tiny homes on wheels—illegal.
This often forces seniors into predatory mobile home parks or homelessness.
A new WA bill would legalize backyard mobile dwelling units to provide stable, low-cost homes.
www.sightline.org/2026/01/26/f...
This often forces seniors into predatory mobile home parks or homelessness.
A new WA bill would legalize backyard mobile dwelling units to provide stable, low-cost homes.
www.sightline.org/2026/01/26/f...
And importantly, Missoula has no massive transit system. Costly parking mandates harm ALL types of cities: urban, rural, and suburban.
Missoula, Montana has just:
- Eliminated single family zoning
- Eliminated parking requirements citywide
- Allows 100-125' of height in many of its mixed-use zones with no limits on density or FAR
Why is Missoula so much more progressive than Los Angeles?
- Eliminated single family zoning
- Eliminated parking requirements citywide
- Allows 100-125' of height in many of its mixed-use zones with no limits on density or FAR
Why is Missoula so much more progressive than Los Angeles?
February 4, 2026 at 10:59 PM
And importantly, Missoula has no massive transit system. Costly parking mandates harm ALL types of cities: urban, rural, and suburban.
Housing costs are consuming all the income of our most vulnerable residents. Hunger is the next inevitable step.
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
Food costs, housing prices and hunger continue to rise in San Diego County
Nationally, the cost of food has gone up by 25% since the pandemic. After her rent went up by nearly $300 a month, one El Cajon resident says she's eating just twice a day.
www.kpbs.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Housing costs are consuming all the income of our most vulnerable residents. Hunger is the next inevitable step.
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
San Diego's Midway project would deliver 4,000 homes, 2,000 affordable.
Court struck it on CEQA technicalities, seeking to preserve strip clubs and parking lots.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...
Court struck it on CEQA technicalities, seeking to preserve strip clubs and parking lots.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...
Midway Rising project set to move forward amid legal challenges
San Diego's ambitious Midway Rising plan for 4,000+ homes and new entertainment spaces faces legal hurdles.
www.cbs8.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:31 AM
San Diego's Midway project would deliver 4,000 homes, 2,000 affordable.
Court struck it on CEQA technicalities, seeking to preserve strip clubs and parking lots.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...
Court struck it on CEQA technicalities, seeking to preserve strip clubs and parking lots.
www.cbs8.com/article/news...
Bipartisan housing push removes outdated chassis rule for manufactured homes, cutting costs and enabling modern designs. Combined with ADU financing and streamlined permitting, these practical reforms could rapidly expand affordable housing options where families need them most.
buff.ly/Q5M5h5v
buff.ly/Q5M5h5v
House Considers Several Housing Bills
On December 3, the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing titled “Building Capacity: Reducing Government Roadblocks to Housing Supply” about various factors and policies that have…
www.manufacturedhousing.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Bipartisan housing push removes outdated chassis rule for manufactured homes, cutting costs and enabling modern designs. Combined with ADU financing and streamlined permitting, these practical reforms could rapidly expand affordable housing options where families need them most.
buff.ly/Q5M5h5v
buff.ly/Q5M5h5v
The biggest hidden cost in American housing isn’t land or materials—it’s car-first policy.
February 3, 2026 at 7:37 PM
The biggest hidden cost in American housing isn’t land or materials—it’s car-first policy.
Louisiana has the assets to lead on clean hydrogen: strong industrial demand, carbon capture expertise, pipelines, ports, and a skilled workforce.
Advancing state policies and regulatory clarity can turn billions in project proposals into jobs, exports, and low-carbon growth.
Advancing state policies and regulatory clarity can turn billions in project proposals into jobs, exports, and low-carbon growth.
Unlocking clean hydrogen in Louisiana
Louisiana has the ingredients to become one of the country’s most competitive clean hydrogen leaders.
buff.ly
February 3, 2026 at 4:13 AM
Louisiana has the assets to lead on clean hydrogen: strong industrial demand, carbon capture expertise, pipelines, ports, and a skilled workforce.
Advancing state policies and regulatory clarity can turn billions in project proposals into jobs, exports, and low-carbon growth.
Advancing state policies and regulatory clarity can turn billions in project proposals into jobs, exports, and low-carbon growth.
Electric AVs may cut some pollution, but physics doesn't care if cars are autonomous.
They still take the same road space.
One bus lane moves 10x the people of a car lane, period.
Cities need both: AVs for sprawl, transit for density
They still take the same road space.
One bus lane moves 10x the people of a car lane, period.
Cities need both: AVs for sprawl, transit for density
February 3, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Electric AVs may cut some pollution, but physics doesn't care if cars are autonomous.
They still take the same road space.
One bus lane moves 10x the people of a car lane, period.
Cities need both: AVs for sprawl, transit for density
They still take the same road space.
One bus lane moves 10x the people of a car lane, period.
Cities need both: AVs for sprawl, transit for density
San Diego doubled housing permits but it's still not enough. A realtor says buyers want single-family homes—but that's exactly the problem.
Building only what's "comfortable" for established neighborhoods keeps prices high and people homeless.
www.10news.com/news/local-n...
Building only what's "comfortable" for established neighborhoods keeps prices high and people homeless.
www.10news.com/news/local-n...
Mayor says San Diego nearly doubled housing permits, but builders say it's not enough
San Diego has nearly doubled the number of permits for new homes in recent years compared to the past two decades, according to Mayor Todd Gloria during his State of the City address.
www.10news.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:13 AM
San Diego doubled housing permits but it's still not enough. A realtor says buyers want single-family homes—but that's exactly the problem.
Building only what's "comfortable" for established neighborhoods keeps prices high and people homeless.
www.10news.com/news/local-n...
Building only what's "comfortable" for established neighborhoods keeps prices high and people homeless.
www.10news.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Saad Asad
SB 79 and CEQA reform were historic victories.
In 2026, we are building on them by reforming barriers to homeownership, addressing excessive fees, and "cleaning up" existing laws so that more housing can get built.
Here is a preview of what we are focusing on this year: 🧵 /5
In 2026, we are building on them by reforming barriers to homeownership, addressing excessive fees, and "cleaning up" existing laws so that more housing can get built.
Here is a preview of what we are focusing on this year: 🧵 /5
February 3, 2026 at 12:36 AM
SB 79 and CEQA reform were historic victories.
In 2026, we are building on them by reforming barriers to homeownership, addressing excessive fees, and "cleaning up" existing laws so that more housing can get built.
Here is a preview of what we are focusing on this year: 🧵 /5
In 2026, we are building on them by reforming barriers to homeownership, addressing excessive fees, and "cleaning up" existing laws so that more housing can get built.
Here is a preview of what we are focusing on this year: 🧵 /5
Climate change is hitting wallets: LA fires destroyed 16,000+ homes, extreme heat adds $20-30/month to energy bills, drought raises food costs.
But California's own green policies also increase costs.
Real question is how to design solutions that don't crush working families.
But California's own green policies also increase costs.
Real question is how to design solutions that don't crush working families.
'The poor are in a very bad state': Climate change accelerates California's cost-of-living crisis
Climate change is worsening California’s suffocating living costs, a reality frequently glossed over in politics today.
buff.ly
February 1, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Climate change is hitting wallets: LA fires destroyed 16,000+ homes, extreme heat adds $20-30/month to energy bills, drought raises food costs.
But California's own green policies also increase costs.
Real question is how to design solutions that don't crush working families.
But California's own green policies also increase costs.
Real question is how to design solutions that don't crush working families.