Planning Department presents equity-centered housing element; advocates press for faster funding and stronger anti-displacement safeguards

Planning Department staff gave a detailed briefing Dec. 8 on San Francisco's proposed 2023 housing element and next steps toward adoption and state certification.

Miriam Chion, planning staff, described the document as "our first housing plan that is centered on racial and social equity," and said it includes needs assessment, site analysis, implementation actions and an environmental justice analysis intended to advance EJ outcomes over the next 30 years. Staff said they are working closely with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the mayor's office and outlined a schedule for adoption, Board introduction and certification.

The presentation emphasized five themes raised by public comment and interagency review: the urgent need for dedicated funding and land-banking for affordable housing; more community-based planning and oversight (including cultural-district collaboration); streamlining approvals and ministerial pathways for certain housing types; specific AFFH metrics requested by HCD; and a rezoning and implementation program to deliver sites for housing.

Community organizations, coalitions and residents filled the public-comment period. Race and Equity in All Planning Coalition members thanked staff for progress but pressed for an accelerated funding and leadership body to convene by January so recommendations could feed the fiscal year 2023'24 budget. Several speakers, including representatives of cultural districts, urged protections for cultural institutions and tenants, warning that removal of certain constraints without affordability-first guarantees could lead to displacement. "We must take great care not to make the situation worse," said Peter Papadopoulos of the Race and Equity coalition.

Commissioners asked staff clarifying questions about timelines, the proposed "circuit breaker" (a four-year check that could trigger additional rezoning or constraint removal if building permits lag), community engagement for freeway remediation opportunities and whether HCD's checklist of technical edits had been addressed. Staff said HCD had provided a checklist and that they expected a letter of compliance or specific edits in the days before certification.

Staff proposed two implementation groups—a funding/leadership body and an interagency working group—to be in place in early 2023 (March in the packet, with commissioners urging earlier dates if feasible). Staff also said the rezoning work would be extensive and that a comprehensive rezoning package could be brought to the commission and board in late 2023 or early 2024 depending on engagement and analysis.

The hearing was informational only; no formal action was taken. Staff will refine language based on HCD comments and public input before the adoption hearing.