Supervisor Paskin advocates for daily cleaning in SRO buildings to combat COVID spread

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on critical health and safety issues affecting residents of Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units, particularly in light of ongoing pandemic challenges. The meeting featured testimonies from residents and advocates who underscored the urgent need for improved sanitation measures in these shared living environments.

The first speaker, a resident of a cramped SRO unit in Chinatown, shared her family's struggles living in less than 100 square feet alongside multiple other families. She expressed strong support for Supervisor Tusken's proposed ordinance aimed at mandating daily cleaning and sanitization in SRO buildings. The speaker highlighted the heightened risks of COVID-19 transmission due to shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, recounting the anxiety experienced by tenants when cases of the virus were reported in their building. She emphasized the necessity of regular cleaning to mitigate the spread of germs and protect vulnerable residents, particularly her daughter who suffers from asthma.

Following her testimony, Kevin Thomason, director of the Lower Polk Tenant Landlord Clinic, provided insights from his professional and personal experiences with shared living situations. He echoed the resident's concerns, noting that common areas often become breeding grounds for illness. Thomason advocated for the ordinance, suggesting that it would help prevent disease spread by ensuring cleanliness in shared spaces. He also recommended including toilet seats in the list of frequently sanitized surfaces, highlighting their importance in maintaining hygiene.

The meeting concluded with a call for further public testimony, but no additional speakers came forward. The discussions underscored a collective recognition of the vulnerabilities faced by SRO residents and the pressing need for legislative action to enhance their living conditions. The proposed ordinance aims to address these issues, reflecting a commitment to safeguarding the health of a population that often lacks adequate resources and support.