Missing middle housing provides a critical path forward in addressing the Bay Area’s housing crisis by offering alternatives between single family homes and large apartment buildings. This panel will discuss how missing middle housing can boost supply in high-opportunity areas, improve affordability, and create climate-friendly, inclusive communities across California. Panelists will discuss best practices, diverse policy frameworks, and political challenges of adopting missing middle housing legislation, while emphasizing missing middle housing’s role in helping cities meet their Regional Housing Needs Allocations, supporting fair housing goals, and retaining essential workers.

Speakers:

• Rashi Kesarwani, Berkeley City Councilmember
• Stefan Pellegrini, Opticos Design
• Vincent Rocha, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s Senior Advisor on Economic Development, Housing and Land Use