Latest news with #MiddleHousing
San Francisco Chronicle
26-06-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Letters: Allowing denser housing in Berkeley won't rectify past wrongs. Here's why
Regarding 'Is Berkeley finally ready to atone for its single-family housing sins?' (Open Forum, June 25): Darrell Owens, a former California YIMBY staffer (not mentioned in the Open Forum), says that Middle Housing will redress historical redlining and displacement in Berkeley. But, in a letter to the City Council, I, along with representatives from South Berkeley, the historically African American neighborhood, write that, 'These proponents of MH are engaging in moral grandstanding at our expense. MH will destroy our already impacted communities' by accelerating gentrification. As a city report states, Middle Housing projects are more feasible in neighborhoods where existing housing is relatively cheaper, and they will be most impacted. The affluent hills will be exempt because of fire concerns. Owens is also wrong about Middle Housing ending exclusive single-family zoning. He does not mention SB9, which allowed up to four homes on an existing parcel, effectively eliminating single-family only zoning. While the photo published with the op-ed shows beautifully articulated facades of buildings, the proposed Middle Housing rules will allow three-story, box-like buildings. Nico Calavita, Berkeley Another office tower? Regarding 'S.F.'s first new office tower in years is closer to construction, even as vacancies remain high' (San Francisco, June 24): The latest proposal to 'set the stage for San Francisco's future' — with a 41-story glass monolith — is irresponsible. The new building would diminish the prominence of the nearby elegant, iconic Transamerica Pyramid and undermine the thoughtful preservation of historic Jackson Square and its harmonious surroundings. Although the development promises benefits for the city, why does it have to be so big and uninspiring? We already have too many empty office buildings and hotels. If this is the future of San Francisco, we are doomed to mediocrity. Aesthetics matter. Please, do not build this monstrosity. Richard Hutson, San Francisco Keep widening freeways If the population of drivers were fixed, then widening roads would improve traffic. But road widening projects are too slow, so at best, they keep up with the increasing number of drivers, and traffic congestion remains mostly unchanged. But it's magical thinking to assert that improving the roads doesn't alleviate traffic problems. If roads had not been constantly improved and widened in the past, we would be suffering utter paralysis now. Projects such as widening Highway 37 are decades overdue. As a side benefit, they are also good for the environment because cars will once again whiz through the area instead of grinding along in a stop-and-go fashion. Mike Drew, Vacaville Masks invoke terror Regarding 'Mask bill misdirected' (Letters to the Editor, June 23): The letter writer objects to state Sen. Scott Wiener's proposed law to ban police from wearing face masks because it also doesn't ban masks worn by demonstrators. This is perhaps a valid critique, but it overlooks a crucial point. It is now common for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and officers from other agencies to wear masks in public. The explanation is that unmasked officers may be identified and subject to retaliation. Masks make their wearers seem robotic, less human. They inspire terror and hopelessness, which is one reason why masked police are the hallmark of despotic regimes. Phil Kipper, San Francisco War nothing to celebrate Regarding 'World is safer now' (Letters to the Editor, June 23): Paul Bacon's letter applauding President Donald Trump's order to strike Iran's nuclear sites is a dangerous mix of blind loyalty and warmongering. Celebrating military escalation as 'decisive leadership' ignores the human cost and global consequences of pushing us closer to nuclear war. Trump didn't make us safer — he gambled with millions of lives, destabilized the region and once again made America look like a bully, not a leader. Real leadership is diplomacy, not dropping bombs and daring a nation to retaliate. War isn't strength. It's failure. And letters like Bacon's prove how easy it is to cheer for war when you're not the one sent to fight it. Alex McMurray, Castro Valley
National Post
13-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Highline Beta Launches Middle Housing Finance Hub to Help Canadians Understand and Plan Financing for ADUs and Multiplex Projects.
Article content New national platform simplifies funding options, tools, and real-life guidance for homeowners and small-scale developers. Article content TORONTO — Highline Beta today announced the official launch of the Middle Housing Finance Hub. This free, web‑based resource centralizes financing pathways, step‑by‑step tools, and success stories for Canadians looking to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs), laneway or garden suites, and small multiplex conversions. The Middle Housing Finance Hub addresses one of the largest barriers to gentle‑density housing: fragmented, confusing, and often limited access to capital. Article content This initiative was supported by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Housing Supply Challenge Round 5 'Level‑Up' Scaling Hub funding. The platform was built by Highline Beta's venture studio team in collaboration with lenders, policymakers, and community innovators across the country. During the soft launch, the Hub saw strong early engagement from across Canada, including significant interest from users in B.C. and Alberta. Article content 'Canada can't close its 3.5‑million‑home supply gap without unlocking smaller, faster projects,' Article content said Article content Ben Yoskovitz Article content , Founding Partner at Highline Beta. 'By making financing options transparent—and pairing them with real homeowner stories—we're reducing friction so ADU and multiplex projects actually get built.' Article content Hub Highlights Article content End-to-end Toolkit – interactive Process Map, nationwide Financing Directory, and Real-life Journey videos and write-ups that guide users through each stage, from feasibility to post-construction. AI-Powered Chat Assistant – answers ADU and multiplex financing questions in plain language and cites the most relevant Hub resources for quick validation. News & Insights Feed – regularly updated to surface the latest headlines on zoning, financing, and housing policy across Canada, helping users stay current without leaving the Hub. Article content Lorena Magallanes Article content , a Toronto homeowner featured on the Middle Housing Finance Hub, added: Article content 'If I could do it again, I'd definitely get help from the start. Doing it alone was overwhelming—there are so many hidden costs people don't talk about.' Article content Tackling an Urgent Affordability Challenge Article content CMHC estimates Canada must add 3.5 million homes by 2030 to restore affordability. Small‑scale infill—laneway houses, basement suites, and multiplex retrofits—can be approved and built more quickly than large condo towers. Still, financing remains the top hurdle for first‑time builders. Article content Availability Article content The Middle Housing Finance Hub is live today at All resources are free to use, and the directory will expand as new lenders and programs come online. Article content About Highline Beta Article content Highline Beta is a venture studio and venture capital firm that partners with corporations, startups, and public agencies to build ventures solving systemic challenges. Recent vertical venture studios include DentalTech and ETH (Web3). Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Article content
