Why San Francisco Needs to Re-elect Mayor London Breed
As the Executive Director of the Housing Action Coalition, I’ve been working for over a decade to make it easier to build housing in San Francisco. We are still deep in the midst of our housing crisis – it is simply too difficult and expensive, right now, to build the housing we need so working people can afford to live here – but the tides are starting to shift. Much of that progress is thanks to the work of Mayor London Breed.
With the election one week away, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture for our city’s future. Reelecting Mayor London Breed is the single most important thing we can do to ensure San Francisco continues to make progress on solving our longstanding housing crisis. It’s critical that we embrace a leader who’s proven she has the vision, courage, and tenacity to tackle our city’s biggest challenges head-on.
When London Breed decided to run for mayor in 2018, I was already impressed with her efforts as a Supervisor to bring more housing to the city. I saw in her a leader with deep roots in the city who wasn’t afraid to push for change. She had a track record of standing up for housing and a moral compass that guided her through some of our city’s toughest moments. As we head into the November election, it’s clear that she hasn’t just met expectations – she’s surpassed them, implementing concrete solutions that directly address our housing shortage and affordability crisis. I was proud to endorse her then and am proud to endorse her now.
Policy Achievements
Mayor Breed’s time in office has been marked by decisive, results-driven leadership. Before Breed became mayor, San Francisco was seen as one of the most anti-housing cities in the country. But thanks to her work on the city’s Housing Element, last week, the City of San Francisco received HCD’s prestigious ‘prohousing designation,” which will help the city secure much-needed money for affordable housing. The designation is a testament to the Mayor’s commitment to spearheading structural change that accelerates housing development and removes barriers.
Perhaps most crucial to the city’s future is Mayor Breed’s leadership on San Francisco’s Housing Element — the roadmap for addressing our housing needs in alignment with state requirements. Under her watch, the city crafted a plan to address our housing shortage, while centering affordability and inclusivity. It was one of only two Bay Area Housing Elements to be certified by the deadline. Her administration’s commitment to incorporating community input while holding firm on key reforms has set us on a path toward a more equitable San Francisco where everyone, regardless of income, can find a home.
Mayor Breed also introduced her signature Housing for All initiative, to ensure these homes can actually get built. This ambitious yet necessary initiative will help San Francisco achieve the goal of building 82,000 new homes over eight years. It’s a concrete plan aimed at cutting through the red tape that too often holds back housing production and drives up costs. Through Housing for All, she’s passed laws to reform outdated zoning regulations and enhance inclusionary housing requirements.
One of the biggest barriers to housing production in San Francisco has always been the notorious bottlenecks in our Planning Department and Department of Building Inspection. Mayor Breed tackled this head-on, championing reforms that have cut down the wait times for permits, reviews, and approvals. By introducing new technology and fostering a culture of accountability, she has made it easier for developers to navigate the system, unlocking more housing at a faster pace. These improvements have boosted transparency and trust, bringing efficiency to departments historically plagued by delays.
Credit: Estefany Gonzalez/The Standard
Progress Over Partisanship
San Francisco is defined by its diversity, and Mayor Breed has been a relentless advocate for maintaining that identity. Her Affordable Housing Working Group embodies her dedication to transparency and collaboration, fostering an approach that keeps the door open to all voices, even when difficult decisions must be made. And she’s ensured new developments reflect our city’s equity needs, displaying her deep commitment to keeping San Francisco accessible for all who live here, not just the wealthy few.
Mayor Breed isn’t afraid to make the hard calls, even when they’re politically unpopular. She has shown time and time again that she’s guided by what’s right for the city, not by what’s easy or politically convenient. Whether it’s passing critical legislation to streamline the housing approval process or pushing to remove outdated density restrictions, she’s consistently prioritized progress over partisanship. In a city known for its divisions, Mayor Breed is the steady hand guiding us forward, creating room for collaboration and understanding in the face of challenges.
As we head to the polls, let’s not lose sight of the progress we’ve made under Mayor Breed’s leadership. She has laid the foundation for a more affordable, inclusive, and united San Francisco. The future of our city depends on keeping that momentum going.
That’s why I’m proud to vote to re-elect Mayor London Breed this November. I hope you’ll join me!
Corey Smith
Housing Action Coalition 501(c)(4)
Executive Director
