Overview. The availability of affordable homes and opportunities to purchase those homes, as well as affordable rental stock, is vital to the success of any community. This issue has plagued San Francisco for far too long. Simply put, we are not providing enough housing to fill the demand. Additionally, if our hard-working residents are not able to achieve a secure future as homeowners or renters in this City, then we risk losing much of our great diversity. San Francisco is one of the most desired places to live in the world, and we are very fortunate to live here. This desirability combined with a high population density and limited land space for new housing stock prevents many hard-working residents from living here. As these trends continue, we must think strategically about how San Francisco will provide for people of all means in the future. Middle-class and low-income individuals and families are being involuntarily forced out of the City. The people of District 8, and San Francisco as a whole, want to know that they can remain here while having a high quality of life.

Promote new opportunities to dramatically increase our housing stock. Mission Bay, Hunters Point Ship Yard, and Treasure Island provide incredible opportunities to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents. I believe in a sensible growth approach that emphasizes quality of life for City residents.

Create homeownership opportunities for communities typically priced out of San Francisco. The City must continue to link affordable housing to new development. Depending on the number of units, new housing developments with 5 or more units must continue to set aside a percentage of the development as affordable units for qualified buyers and middle class incomes. A recent legal decision affecting this inclusionary requirement must be monitored to ensure we develop affordable units as well as market rate units.

My skills in creating homeownership opportunities in San Francisco were well exhibited during my experiences as the Mayor’s Liaison to District 8. In that capacity, I worked in partnership with District 8 residents, city agencies, non-profit groups, and businesses to develop affordable homeownership opportunities. For example, during the approval and planning stages of the One Church Street housing development, I brought together community groups with divergent views, and after listening to all perspectives, we reached a consensus for the greater good of District 8 and San Francisco. One Church provided an opportunity for homeownership for individuals who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to stake a claim in San Francisco. I am very proud of our community for coming together to achieve this goal.

Support fee deferrals to spur development. Since the economic downturn, construction projects in San Francisco have all but stopped. I support legislation that defers up-front developer fees as a strategy to spur development. Fee deferral is key to putting working-class San Franciscans back to work. I would actively support legislation that allows for fees to be deferred.

Campaign for a new affordable housing bond. We can and should maintain our diversity by providing affordable homeownership opportunities for middle-class and low income individuals. Our residents are being forced to look elsewhere for affordable housing opportunities. We must aggressively act to reverse this trend. For example, I campaigned heavily for the last affordable housing initiative in 2004 and would do so vigorously for any appropriate new affordable housing bond initiative.

Endorse smart planning and building codes. Drawing on my experience in city planning, I will support smart planning and building codes that balance preservation of neighborhood character while providing new housing for City residents. Through the proper use of planning codes, we can lead our City into the future, balancing the vital need for new housing opportunities with the need to control the type of growth that takes place in our neighborhoods. I have the leadership skills to bring stakeholders together, so that we can sensibly develop new housing opportunities that are respectful to the needs of the surrounding communities.

Allow one time conversion for qualified owners. Last year the Mayor proposed to allow TIC owners who have qualified to convert to condominiums the ability to surpass the lottery as a one time budgetary solution to create funds for schools, parks, and affordable housing. I think this is a great idea and would sponsor legislation for this.

Innovate on how we respond to the foreclosure crisis. The City, in partnership with the non-profit and banking industry, should create a program to create new affordable housing units from foreclosed properties. Together, we can purchase these dwellings and then offer them to our teachers, firefighters, police officers, and those who are traditionally priced out of the San Francisco real estate market. Ensuring those who work in the City can also afford to live in the City not only increases our diversity, but is also good for the environment by reducing commutes. This type of program has worked in East Palo Alto and Marin; and we can develop this program San Francisco.

Persons with HIV/AIDS, Seniors, and Persons with Disabilities. Providing safe and affordable housing for people with HIV/AIDS, Seniors, and Persons with Disabilities is the responsibility of federal, state, and local government. I will work with my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor’s Office to lobby for increased funding for the Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA) program and to reinstate state cuts made by Governor Schwarzenegger to HIV/AIDS housing programs. At the local level, I will prioritize funding for affordable housing, with an emphasis on seniors and people with disabilities including HIV/AIDS. There are going to be a lot of developments along Market Street over the coming years and I’ll fight for dedicated units for persons with HIV/AIDS, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

Tenant Protections. For too long, our political structure has classified elected officials as pro-homeowner or pro-tenant. This simplistic ideology does not solve the City’s long standing housing issues. These tough economic times have not just affected housing sales but have also impacted the ability of tenants to obtain and maintain affordable housing. Whether it is maintaining current tenant protections or making sure that banks and others who might purchase foreclosed properties are not evicting tenants without just cause, I will fight for opportunities for persons of all means to stay in San Francisco. As a condo owner, I will advocate for the repeal of the Ellis Act. I have the experience to bring landlords and tenants to the table to work out real solutions that will enable landlords and their tenants to make concessions and reach agreements that will prevent unnecessary turnover.

Create homeownership opportunities. We must strive to find ways to make homeownership available to all San Franciscans. I will work with the Mayor’s Office and the Board of Supervisors to create a program to allow tenants the ability to purchase their homes in a fair and just manner.