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
When Russia attacks Ukraine, it’s an outrage against sovereignty.
When the U.S. attacks Venezuela, it’s “law enforcement.”
When the U.S. attacks Venezuela, it’s “law enforcement.”
January 3, 2026 at 11:22 AM
When Russia attacks Ukraine, it’s an outrage against sovereignty.
When the U.S. attacks Venezuela, it’s “law enforcement.”
When the U.S. attacks Venezuela, it’s “law enforcement.”
My ancestors were literally the first amino acids to form proteins on Earth, so I’ve got about 3.5 billion years on Mayflower people.
Please respect my primordial heritage.
Please respect my primordial heritage.
December 22, 2025 at 4:47 PM
My ancestors were literally the first amino acids to form proteins on Earth, so I’ve got about 3.5 billion years on Mayflower people.
Please respect my primordial heritage.
Please respect my primordial heritage.
Portland's affordability mandate was underfunded, so developers built 19-unit buildings to dodge the 20-unit threshold.
Share of just-under-20 projects doubled.
City quintupled the tax break to $220k per affordable unit in March 2024.
Threshold-gaming stopped immediately.
Share of just-under-20 projects doubled.
City quintupled the tax break to $220k per affordable unit in March 2024.
Threshold-gaming stopped immediately.
Portland’s Inclusionary Zoning Program Is Finally Performing, New Data Suggests
Portland’s Inclusionary Zoning Program Is Finally Performing, New Data Suggests
buff.ly
December 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Portland's affordability mandate was underfunded, so developers built 19-unit buildings to dodge the 20-unit threshold.
Share of just-under-20 projects doubled.
City quintupled the tax break to $220k per affordable unit in March 2024.
Threshold-gaming stopped immediately.
Share of just-under-20 projects doubled.
City quintupled the tax break to $220k per affordable unit in March 2024.
Threshold-gaming stopped immediately.
Small apartments can't get financed.
Home loans max out at 4 units. Commercial loans need bigger projects. So 5-12 unit buildings get neither.
Result: only sprawl and large towers get built, not walkable neighborhoods with diverse housing.
Home loans max out at 4 units. Commercial loans need bigger projects. So 5-12 unit buildings get neither.
Result: only sprawl and large towers get built, not walkable neighborhoods with diverse housing.
Financing tools: Solutions for type, place, and price - Smart Growth America
About us
buff.ly
December 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Small apartments can't get financed.
Home loans max out at 4 units. Commercial loans need bigger projects. So 5-12 unit buildings get neither.
Result: only sprawl and large towers get built, not walkable neighborhoods with diverse housing.
Home loans max out at 4 units. Commercial loans need bigger projects. So 5-12 unit buildings get neither.
Result: only sprawl and large towers get built, not walkable neighborhoods with diverse housing.
House bill on housing requires cities getting federal money to report zoning reforms, makes building in existing neighborhoods easier, allows narrower apartments.
But drops incentives for homes near transit and limits on bank affordable housing investment.
But drops incentives for homes near transit and limits on bank affordable housing investment.
The tale of two housing bills: House Financial Services introduces new comprehensive housing package following the Senate’s passage of housing bill earlier this year - Smart Growth America
About us
buff.ly
December 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM
House bill on housing requires cities getting federal money to report zoning reforms, makes building in existing neighborhoods easier, allows narrower apartments.
But drops incentives for homes near transit and limits on bank affordable housing investment.
But drops incentives for homes near transit and limits on bank affordable housing investment.
SD County will explore San Onofre spent fuel reprocessing with national labs.
San Diego County Supervisors approve proposal to relocate San Onofre's spent nuclear fuel
San Diego County Supervisors approved a proposal to seek national lab partnerships to tackle nuclear waste at San Onofre.
buff.ly
December 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
SD County will explore San Onofre spent fuel reprocessing with national labs.
It feels like saving the planet means giving things up.
Really, it means wasting less land.
Sprawl and land-heavy diets eat up space nature needs to heal.
Building dense, walkable homes protects the wild by leaving it alone.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Really, it means wasting less land.
Sprawl and land-heavy diets eat up space nature needs to heal.
Building dense, walkable homes protects the wild by leaving it alone.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
We need to grow the economy. We need to stop torching the planet. Here’s how we do both.
Let’s fix the two massive efficiency sinks in American life.
www.vox.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
It feels like saving the planet means giving things up.
Really, it means wasting less land.
Sprawl and land-heavy diets eat up space nature needs to heal.
Building dense, walkable homes protects the wild by leaving it alone.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Really, it means wasting less land.
Sprawl and land-heavy diets eat up space nature needs to heal.
Building dense, walkable homes protects the wild by leaving it alone.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
CA has zoned the land; now we must cut the construction cost. The Wicks Committee on Innovation is vital step to doing that!
Wicks to Chair New Assembly Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation - Davis Vanguard
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas has appointed Assemblymember Buffy Wicks to chair a newly created Select Committee on Housing Construction Innovation to examine ways to reduce housing costs, speed…
buff.ly
December 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
CA has zoned the land; now we must cut the construction cost. The Wicks Committee on Innovation is vital step to doing that!
Important listen
This week UCLA Housing Voice is joined by @muhammadspeaks.bsky.social to talk about construction defect liability, a consumer protection law that can create big barriers to condo development, taking one of the most affordable ownership options off the market.
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/12/17/1...
www.lewis.ucla.edu/2025/12/17/1...
Episode 104: Why We Don't Build Condos with Muhammad Alameldin (Incentives Series pt. 7) - UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Why do many U.S. states build so few condos? Muhammad Alameldin explains the role of construction defect liability laws — and how to fix them.
www.lewis.ucla.edu
December 18, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Important listen
Congressman @RepScottPeters' bipartisan bill to repeal the manufactured housing chassis rule is good!
Ending the steel frame mandate (1974) will lower construction costs & unlock modern, affordable housing designs.
Ending the steel frame mandate (1974) will lower construction costs & unlock modern, affordable housing designs.
Rep. Peters Introduces Bill to Lower Housing Costs, Increase Supply Nationally
Congressman Scott Peters
buff.ly
December 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Congressman @RepScottPeters' bipartisan bill to repeal the manufactured housing chassis rule is good!
Ending the steel frame mandate (1974) will lower construction costs & unlock modern, affordable housing designs.
Ending the steel frame mandate (1974) will lower construction costs & unlock modern, affordable housing designs.
Climate goals must be achieved through equity.
San Diego County's $500K appliance exchange expansion targets low-income areas, reducing household energy costs by up to 30%.
San Diego County's $500K appliance exchange expansion targets low-income areas, reducing household energy costs by up to 30%.
San Diego County expands household appliance exchange program to meet climate goals
An initiative to give low-income residents new energy efficient appliances is expanding in San Diego County. The program supports greenhouse gas reduction goals established by the county’s latest…
buff.ly
December 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Climate goals must be achieved through equity.
San Diego County's $500K appliance exchange expansion targets low-income areas, reducing household energy costs by up to 30%.
San Diego County's $500K appliance exchange expansion targets low-income areas, reducing household energy costs by up to 30%.
Decades of San Diego-driven legal shifts (DBL expansion, Bankers Hill ruling) affirm that density & affordability must trump the 30-foot "sacred cow."
We must prioritize 2,000 affordable homes over coastal NIMBYism.
We must prioritize 2,000 affordable homes over coastal NIMBYism.
How San Diego cleared the way for Midway Rising to crack the coastal height limit
San Diego is responsible for years of moves to expand California's density bonus, which Midway Rising is now using to beat the height limit.
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Decades of San Diego-driven legal shifts (DBL expansion, Bankers Hill ruling) affirm that density & affordability must trump the 30-foot "sacred cow."
We must prioritize 2,000 affordable homes over coastal NIMBYism.
We must prioritize 2,000 affordable homes over coastal NIMBYism.
National City's waterfront plan is a victory for environmental justice.
Consolidating port operations to create parks/access is the blueprint for industrial bayfronts.
Consolidating port operations to create parks/access is the blueprint for industrial bayfronts.
South County Report: Big Changes Coming (Finally) to National City Waterfront
For generations, National City residents have dreamed of having what other waterfront cities have: Actual access to the water. This week, that dream took a huge step toward coming true. […]
buff.ly
December 17, 2025 at 4:47 PM
National City's waterfront plan is a victory for environmental justice.
Consolidating port operations to create parks/access is the blueprint for industrial bayfronts.
Consolidating port operations to create parks/access is the blueprint for industrial bayfronts.
SD supervisors oppose Trump offshore drilling expansion. Reasonable—spill risks are real and California voters consistently reject this.
But symbolic resolutions won't stop federal leases. Need concrete legal strategy and regional coalition.
But symbolic resolutions won't stop federal leases. Need concrete legal strategy and regional coalition.
Lawson-Remer, Aguirre move to block Trump's SoCal offshore drilling plans
Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer and Supervisor Paloma Aguirre teamed up to oppose offshore drilling leases along the Southern California coast.
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
SD supervisors oppose Trump offshore drilling expansion. Reasonable—spill risks are real and California voters consistently reject this.
But symbolic resolutions won't stop federal leases. Need concrete legal strategy and regional coalition.
But symbolic resolutions won't stop federal leases. Need concrete legal strategy and regional coalition.
Supervisor Paloma Aguirre pushes for Tijuana River cleanup after decades of cross-border sewage crisis. Progress is real: new plants now treat 50M+ gallons daily.
But Saturn Blvd hot spot needs urgent fix, and river diversion remains unfunded pipe dream.
But Saturn Blvd hot spot needs urgent fix, and river diversion remains unfunded pipe dream.
Tijuana River sewage still pollutes the San Diego Coast. She's fighting to clean it up
A former surfer turned San Diego County supervisor, Pamela Aguirre is leading the fight to save the Tijuana River from years of pollution.
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Supervisor Paloma Aguirre pushes for Tijuana River cleanup after decades of cross-border sewage crisis. Progress is real: new plants now treat 50M+ gallons daily.
But Saturn Blvd hot spot needs urgent fix, and river diversion remains unfunded pipe dream.
But Saturn Blvd hot spot needs urgent fix, and river diversion remains unfunded pipe dream.
Thank you to the San Diegans who left public comments in support of more homes in today's City Council vote.
Thank you for sharing your story to combat the selfishness of NIMBYs who seek to deprive others of opportunity.
Join the meeting at 1p to voice your support:
sandiego.gov/councilmtg
Thank you for sharing your story to combat the selfishness of NIMBYs who seek to deprive others of opportunity.
Join the meeting at 1p to voice your support:
sandiego.gov/councilmtg
December 16, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Thank you to the San Diegans who left public comments in support of more homes in today's City Council vote.
Thank you for sharing your story to combat the selfishness of NIMBYs who seek to deprive others of opportunity.
Join the meeting at 1p to voice your support:
sandiego.gov/councilmtg
Thank you for sharing your story to combat the selfishness of NIMBYs who seek to deprive others of opportunity.
Join the meeting at 1p to voice your support:
sandiego.gov/councilmtg
Caltrans has demolished 871 homes since 2018. All to reduce traffic, but of course, inadvertently keep traffic at the same levels by inducing demand.
The agency is actively sabotaging California.
calmatters.org/commentary/2...
The agency is actively sabotaging California.
calmatters.org/commentary/2...
Opinion | California’s freeways are fueling its housing crisis
Caltrans construction forces families from homes and neighborhoods, though its efforts to widen freeways don’t seem to reduce traffic jams.
calmatters.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Caltrans has demolished 871 homes since 2018. All to reduce traffic, but of course, inadvertently keep traffic at the same levels by inducing demand.
The agency is actively sabotaging California.
calmatters.org/commentary/2...
The agency is actively sabotaging California.
calmatters.org/commentary/2...
Reposted by Saad Asad
A single phone call asking a city council member or state legislator to vote your way on a specific legislative proposal has *significantly* more political impact than a social media post with 1,000 shares.
December 16, 2025 at 12:09 AM
A single phone call asking a city council member or state legislator to vote your way on a specific legislative proposal has *significantly* more political impact than a social media post with 1,000 shares.
Missed this story last week. LA City recommended raising housing appeal fees to $22k to cover staff time and deter frivolous appeals, but the City Council just raised the fees to $229.
LA City Council is always working to make NIMBYs' lives easier. Sigh.
laist.com/brief/news/h...
LA City Council is always working to make NIMBYs' lives easier. Sigh.
laist.com/brief/news/h...
Fees to fight housing
Should LA charge more to opponents of new housing?
laist.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Missed this story last week. LA City recommended raising housing appeal fees to $22k to cover staff time and deter frivolous appeals, but the City Council just raised the fees to $229.
LA City Council is always working to make NIMBYs' lives easier. Sigh.
laist.com/brief/news/h...
LA City Council is always working to make NIMBYs' lives easier. Sigh.
laist.com/brief/news/h...
SD County will lease land for solar projects targeting low-income communities. Renewable costs have crashed 70-88% since 2010.
Supervisors approve boost for solar projects in disadvantaged areas
The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a measure aimed at increasing the use of solar energy in disadvantaged communities.
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 12:41 AM
SD County will lease land for solar projects targeting low-income communities. Renewable costs have crashed 70-88% since 2010.
FINAL VOTE on 12/16.
Submit a comment in FAVOR of Item 609 saying the College Area needs more housing.
And explain how high housing costs have impacted you or people you know.
www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/a...
Submit a comment in FAVOR of Item 609 saying the College Area needs more housing.
And explain how high housing costs have impacted you or people you know.
www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/a...
December 15, 2025 at 10:45 PM
FINAL VOTE on 12/16.
Submit a comment in FAVOR of Item 609 saying the College Area needs more housing.
And explain how high housing costs have impacted you or people you know.
www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/a...
Submit a comment in FAVOR of Item 609 saying the College Area needs more housing.
And explain how high housing costs have impacted you or people you know.
www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/a...
Midway Rising's two-time court defeat exposes the weaponization of CEQA against housing. A single group cannot endlessly use environmental law to veto housing.
However, the Density Bonus Law affirms that affordable housing supersedes local restrictions.
However, the Density Bonus Law affirms that affordable housing supersedes local restrictions.
After multiple delays, state housing law could clear a path forward for Midway Rising development
What would be the largest affordable housing project in California's history has been delayed by the courts for a second time — for the same reason. But recent state legislation may give the city and…
buff.ly
December 15, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Midway Rising's two-time court defeat exposes the weaponization of CEQA against housing. A single group cannot endlessly use environmental law to veto housing.
However, the Density Bonus Law affirms that affordable housing supersedes local restrictions.
However, the Density Bonus Law affirms that affordable housing supersedes local restrictions.
The $300M USMCA fund failed to end 169B gallons of sewage flow into San Diego.
This crisis is a bipartisan failure of binational public works.
State hearings must focus on two core needs: accelerating South Bay plant expansion and securing a permanent funding mechanism.
This crisis is a bipartisan failure of binational public works.
State hearings must focus on two core needs: accelerating South Bay plant expansion and securing a permanent funding mechanism.
California officials to hold series of meetings on Tijuana River sewage crisis
Coastal Commission, legislators and regulators will be in San Diego County to discuss ongoing mitigation efforts and funding
buff.ly
December 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
The $300M USMCA fund failed to end 169B gallons of sewage flow into San Diego.
This crisis is a bipartisan failure of binational public works.
State hearings must focus on two core needs: accelerating South Bay plant expansion and securing a permanent funding mechanism.
This crisis is a bipartisan failure of binational public works.
State hearings must focus on two core needs: accelerating South Bay plant expansion and securing a permanent funding mechanism.
Mayor @ToddGloria launches "Neighborhood Homes For All" to allow townhomes in single-family zones. Good—80% of SD land is locked to expensive detached housing. But a similar initiative failed in 2023 when NIMBYs killed it.
Will he stand up to the NIMBYs?
Will he stand up to the NIMBYs?
Mayor Gloria announces effort to allow townhomes in San Diego's single-family neighborhoods
The "Homes For All of Us" initiative seeks to create more affordable paths to homeownership.
buff.ly
December 14, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Mayor @ToddGloria launches "Neighborhood Homes For All" to allow townhomes in single-family zones. Good—80% of SD land is locked to expensive detached housing. But a similar initiative failed in 2023 when NIMBYs killed it.
Will he stand up to the NIMBYs?
Will he stand up to the NIMBYs?
Park litter is a failure of local stewardship. smh.
Resident shares video of outrageous scene at local park: 'Gotten much worse'
One frustrated local resident shared a video of the littered walkways at Sweetwater Park in San Diego.
buff.ly
December 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Park litter is a failure of local stewardship. smh.