SF Housing Action Coalition tied on its running shoes to keep up with all the housing policy legislation being discussed at City Hall! We’ve highlighted the major housing-related hearings – and ways you can help us keep moving them forward.
Thursday, January 21 – POSTPONED
Planning Commission: Reforms to the Inclusionary Ordinance
Stay tuned for future rescheduling. The SFHAC strongly opposes its keeping the off-site geographic radius, a powerful disincentive to the program.
Monday, January 25 – Afternoon
Land Use Committee: Legislation to Remove the Conditional Use for 100% Affordable Projects
Introduced by Supervisor Scott Wiener, the legislation would remove the need for 100% affordable housing projects to obtain a conditional use (CU) authorization. It would allow them to bypass a cumbersome hurdle that requires them to prove that their affordable housing is “necessary or desirable”. Really! Instead, this legislation creates an easier path for 100% affordable housing developments. The CU legislation would not apply to projects built on city-owned land. Read our blog for more on the ins & outs of this proposal. To our dismay, many residents opposed removing the CU at the Planning Commission hearing on December 3rd because they inaccurately believe it would eliminate their opportunity for public input. The legislation moved through the Planning Commission with a recommendation of disapproval on a 3-3 vote (Commissioners Richards, Moore and Wu opposed; Fong, Hillis & Antonini supported; Johnson was absent).
This legislation goes next to the Supervisor’s Land Use Committee, (Supervisors Scott Wiener, Malia Cohen and Jane Kim) on Monday, January 25th. If approved, it moves to the full Board of Supervisors for final approval. SFHAC strongly supports this policy as a sensible way to reduce uncertainty for building permanently affordable housing. Use our one click email petition tool to send an email before Monday to let the Supervisors know you support streamlining the 100% affordable housing building process.
Thursday, January 28 – Late afternoon
Planning Commission: Affordable Housing Bonus Program
After several informational hearings and numerous community meetings, the Affordable Housing Bonus Program (AHBP) could go to the Planning Commission for a vote next Thursday. There’s been a lot of hysteria and misinformation around the proposal, which we’ve debunked. The AHBP opponents have organized and will turn out in full force to make their claims that AHBP harms San Francisco. If you believe we should be building middle-class housing, then support housing legislation that keeps working families in San Francisco. Please sign our petition in support of the AHBP and attend the hearing. It’s so important that pro-housing San Franciscans make their voices heard on this thoughtful, modest policy. If approved, AHBP would go next to the Land Use Committee, and then full Board of Supervisors, though the timing for this is uncertain.
If you have questions about these policies or can help in one of our campaigns, contact SFHAC Project Manager at rob@sfhac.org.
