By-Right Approval for Affordable Housing Projects Proposed in San Francisco

San Francisco Mayor London Breed is fighting hard to make it easier to develop affordable housing in the cost-impacted city. A fight will likely be required.

2 minute read

February 7, 2019, 9:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Francisco, California

San Francisco Mayor London Breed speaking at the Women's March on January 19, 2019. | Sheila Fitzgerald / Shutterstock

During the State of the City address last week, San Francisco Mayor London Breed proposed a charter amendment that would guarantee "as-of-right" approval for 100 percent affordable housing.

Diego Aguilar-Canabal reports on Mayor Breed's bombshell proposition. As noted in the article, Mayor Breed even directly calling out NIMBY activists in the speech:

“If an affordable housing or teacher housing project is proposed within zoning, then build it. And build it now,” Breed declared. “No more bureaucracy. No more costly appeals. No more ‘not in my neighborhood.’ It’s simple: Affordable housing as-of-right because housing affordability is a right.”

The proposal will require a vote of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors or a grassroots signature gathering campaign to place the proposal on the March 2020 ballot. Randy Shaw, Executive Director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, is quoted in the article saying that the proposal will put the Board of Supervisors' progressive bona finds to the test. "Considering every Supervisor says they support affordable housing, the vote to place this on the ballot should be 11-0," says Shaw. Still, Aguilar-Canabal provides evidence that not all of the supervisors would vote to support by-right approval, preferring to defer to neighborhood preferences.

The city of San Francisco has considered the possibility of by-right affordable housing before, in 2015. That measure was proposed by then-Supervisor Scott Wiener, and met vocal opposition. Mayor Breed's proposal is also announced in the context of reports about the city's failing inclusionary zoning policy.

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 in The Bay City Beacon

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Vacant storefront in historic building on Powell Street in San Francisco, California

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax

Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

2 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of manufactured home being dropped off or moved by red truck in mobile home park

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan

After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

4 hours ago - Greater Greater Washington

Graphic for '1000 Joys of Planning' with The Planning Commission Podcast

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning

The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.

6 hours ago - The Planning Commission Podcast

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.