This month's election yielded mixed results on housing. The pros: a solid victory for pro-housing Mayor London Breed and two affordable housing measures. The con: likely more anti-housing sentiment on the Board of Supervisors.
The result of San Francisco's recent elections "echoes a contradiction at the heart of politics and public opinion in San Francisco, where far more officials and residents claim to support housing than are willing to welcome it to their neighborhoods," writes the San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Board.
On one hand, the strong reelection of Mayor London Breed to her first full term "was itself a testament to the political strength of a mayor who has pushed for more housing across the spectrum." On top of that, Prop. A, a $600 million affordable housing bond measure, passed with "overwhelming support." So did Prop. E, designed to boost affordable development, including for teachers.
At the same time, the election of Dean Preston to represent Breed's former district on the Board of Supervisors "stands to exacerbate the Board of Supervisors' already pronounced bias against housing."
The editorial goes on, "The same board has gone out of its way to heap aspersions on the state Legislature's most important housing bill and block residential projects that might detract from the city's inconstant sunlight or its supposedly historic laundry assets. It's a miserable record in a city that can't seem to stem soaring housing costs or homelessness, and Preston appears likely to make it worse."
FULL STORY: Editorial: SF election’s muddled housing message
San Francisco Could Strike Deal on New Tower
The city is leveraging height increases and density bonuses to acquire more properties for affordable housing.
San Francisco to Reconsider Inclusionary Zoning as Development Slows to a Crawl
Critics of inclusionary zoning frequently point to San Francisco as an example of what not to do. A sluggish year of development has some local politicians ready to reconsider the city’s program.
San Francisco Supes Reject Proposal To Turn Parking Lot Into Housing
State legislators are decrying the Board of Supervisors' decision to reject a proposal to build a 495-unit apartment building on a downtown San Francisco parking lot.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions