San Diego leaders, housing advocates, economists, and developers came together for an in-depth discussion on one of the biggest housing policy proposals the city has considered in years.
The conversation focused on eliminating minimum lot sizes and allowing more townhomes and “missing middle” housing in traditionally single-family neighborhoods across San Diego.
Panelists discussed:
• How smaller lot development could reduce housing costs by roughly 40%
• Why land use and zoning are central to affordability
• The impact of housing shortages on young families and workforce retention
• The financial realities developers face in San Diego
• Why townhomes and row homes are becoming more common nationwide
• Concerns around regulation, infrastructure, parking, and implementation
• How the proposal could affect homeownership opportunities and long-term housing supply
Speakers included:
• Ricardo Flores — LISC San Diego
• Gary London — London Moeder Advisors
• Amy Fossett — Building Industry Association of San Diego County
• Nicole Lily — Our Time To Act
• Tony Manolatos — Manolatos Public Affairs
The panel also explored broader themes around affordability, attainable housing, workforce migration, development feasibility, and the future of urban growth in San Diego.
Whether you’re a homeowner, investor, developer, policymaker, or simply interested in the future of housing, this conversation offers insight into one of the most important real estate and planning discussions happening today.