City updates housing plan to include 500 to 2000 affordable units and aggressive rezoning

The City of San Francisco held a government meeting on July 4, 2025, focusing on housing development and affordability strategies. The agenda included discussions on the city's housing goals, particularly in response to a letter from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

The meeting began with a review of the HCD's request for a numerical goal regarding affordable housing units. Officials acknowledged the target range of 500 to 2,000 affordable units, emphasizing the importance of maximizing affordable housing in new developments. Concerns were raised about ensuring that the inclusionary housing program remains intact while streamlining processes to reduce constraints.

A significant point of discussion was the language surrounding changes to inclusionary housing tiers and requirements. Officials proposed revisions to clarify that any changes must improve or maintain the feasibility of constructing and operating inclusionary housing units. The intent is to ensure that the affordability of these units is preserved, taking into account various costs such as rents and homeowners association fees.

Further, the meeting addressed the HCD's suggestion for the city to pursue its most aggressive rezoning scenario. Officials expressed the need for careful consideration of this approach, ensuring that it aligns with public input and the commission's goals. The proposed language would commit the city to consider aggressive rezoning while allowing flexibility in the planning process.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to addressing housing affordability and development challenges while ensuring that any changes to policies are clear and effective. The next steps involve refining the proposed language and continuing collaboration with HCD to meet housing objectives.