“I’ve volunteered to help SFHAC arrange events for a younger and newer crowd to kick off conversations about local housing, what the city needs, and what they can do to help.”
Ali’s story:
I live and work in San Francisco and have rented a large one bedroom apartment in North Beach since 2008. I am very thankful for rent control! As the rent prices continue to rise, my apartment seems like a better and better deal. I work a little over a mile away as a hairstylist at Atelier Emmanuel in Union Square.
What attracted you to join as a Friends of SFHAC member?
My husband is involved in the local affordable housing field, so we attend many networking events involving local politics, and I’m learning more about how this city works. It is becoming a new passion of mine. I love speaking to the people who are shaping our neighborhoods. I agree with the mission of SF Housing Action Coalition and feel that their work will only help this city improve. I’m happy to be part of their volunteer team and hope others will see the benefits too.
What are you most looking forward to getting out of your Friends membership?
I am working on finding my “niche” in this crazy, amazing city during an interesting time of change. I plan on being here for a very long time, if not forever, and I want to be a part of keeping San Francisco such a special place while also helping it’s diverse population embrace change and growth as we move forward. I want to gain more knowledge and understanding of the local development and housing markets and am happy to help in any way I can.
What do you think we need to do in SF to improve the housing crisis?
I’ve met so many people that have spent their whole lives in San Francisco and are feeling protective of the city they are so proud of. I’ve also met people in their 20s and 30s who are new to the city and have jobs in finance, tech, and art, to name a few. I see a big disconnect between the newer city dwellers and the old. It seems that there’s a large diversity of SF residents with differing levels of community involvement and interest.
If we can get new SF residents to be more involved in their community, we may begin to bridge the gap. That’s why I’ve volunteered to help SFHAC arrange events for a younger and newer crowd to kick off conversations about local housing, what the city needs, and what they can do to help.
Meet Ali in person at her first event, the Friends of SFHAC – Launch Party at the Buffalo Club on April 16 at 6pm. This free event will bring together a powerful & growing community of people working together for solutions to housing affordability in San Francisco. Come along, mingle, eat, drink and learn more about the SF Housing Action Coalition. All welcome!
