Committee advances $38 billion, 10‑year capital plan with affordable housing chapter and recovery stimulus funds

The Budget and Appropriations Committee voted to move the city's 10‑year capital expenditure plan for fiscal years 2022–2031 to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.

City Administrator Carmen Chu and Brian Strong, director of the Office of Resilience and Capital Planning, presented the plan as a $38 billion mix of projects intended to secure infrastructure and support economic stimulus. Strong said the plan reflects two notable changes from prior iterations: an explicit affordable‑housing chapter and heightened attention to equity in project prioritization.

Strong told the committee the plan identifies roughly $2.6 billion in capital program expenditures specifically tied to affordable housing across the 10‑year horizon and that the plan schedules $1.2 billion in voter‑backed geo bonds over the decade. He described a $400 million transportation bond tentatively scheduled for June 2022 and a public‑health bond planned for 2023 to address seismically unsafe clinics and improvements at San Francisco General Hospital.

The plan also includes a new recovery stimulus program: $125 million in certificates of participation (COPs) directed toward projects that can reach construction within about 18 months and that emphasize equity. Strong said the city is balancing long‑term debt capacity, pay‑as‑you‑go funding shortfalls caused by COVID and the need to maintain a stable debt service profile.

Supervisor Mar and others raised questions about the plan’s treatment of climate resilience and whether a standalone green infrastructure bond is appropriate. Strong said climate resilience elements are being incorporated across projects and noted that a waterfront resilience (sea‑level) bond is scheduled; he described ongoing coordination with regional and state partners and an interdepartmental climate resilience committee exploring financing options.

Mary Kate Bacalau of Compass Family Services and the Homeless and Emergency Service Providers Association urged the board to use capital and recovery funds to reimagine shelter and invest in permanent supportive housing to ensure safe, dignified, COVID‑safe crisis housing.

Committee members accepted technical amendments clarifying the affordable‑housing chapter (no numeric changes) and then voted to forward the amended capital plan to the full Board; both motions passed by roll call (5 ayes). Chair Haney said the administration and committee will continue to refine debt capacity and project readiness as federal stimulus opportunities materialize.