San Francisco supervisor looks to establish city’s first department of housing

The proposed agency would coordinate planning and financing around housing, as well as support affordable housing production.

1 minute read

September 23, 2026, 6:00 AM PDT

By Zachary Whalen


People walking down a hill on a steep street in San Francisco, with buildings on the right.

San Francisco Supervisor Myrna Melgar is also working to speed up the rollout of bike lanes in the city. | Albert Pego

San Francisco may soon have a new city department: Supervisor Myrna Melgar is looking to establish an agency to coordinate planning, financing and policy around housing. Currently titled the Department of Housing Development and Preservation, the agency would also support “affordable and market-rate housing production,” Kelly Waldron writes for Mission Local.

“Presently, the closest thing the city has to a housing department is the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, a wing within the mayor’s office. The proposed Department of Housing Development and Preservation would expand the mayor’s housing office into a bona fide department, similar to New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Melgar’s office shared,” Mission Local reports.

Mylar is also working to speed up the rollout of bike lanes in the city, and to introduce legislation that would create a program to support housing co-ops.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 in Mission Local

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

2 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

People cross a wide street in San Francisco, with tall buildings in the background.

New density bill would require 7 California cities to establish regional transit hubs

The bill would also require major cities in California to permit high-rise residential buildings.

15 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

People walking down a hill on a steep street in San Francisco, with buildings on the right.

San Francisco supervisor looks to establish city’s first department of housing

The proposed agency would coordinate planning and financing around housing, as well as support affordable housing production.

1 hour ago - Mission Local

Visitors view the Obama Presidential Branch of the Chicago Public Library on the campus of the Obama Presidential Center

South Chicago development proposal would 'upzone' neighborhoods to increase density

The South Chicago Land Use Framework plan also aims to promote pedestrian and transit-oriented developments.

2 hours ago - Block Club Chicago