San Francisco

In Compliance
Out of Compliance
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area

Overview

Population
851036
Density
18157
Avg. Household Income
$
136689
Experiencing Rent Burden
35
Providing adequate housing options is a key function of local governments. To help residents ensure their local government is meeting this need, we’ve compiled important information about this jurisdiction’s housing efforts below.
Housing Element is In Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Housing Element is Out of Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Good Progress
This city is currently on track to meet their RHNA housing targets.
Making Slow Progress
This city is falling behind. It is not on track to meet its housing targets.
Housing Targets
Every 8 years California assesses housing need and assigns each city with a target they must hit. If 
San Francisco
 repeats its efforts from the previous cycle 
it will only meet 43% of the identified need.
Current RHNA Target
2022
 
-
 
2030
On Target
Behind
Hit Target
Missed
3034
 / 
82069
 units
Very Low Income
Low Income
Median Income
Above Median Income
State Statutes
Organizers fighting for fair housing can use many state laws to ensure that jurisdictions meet their housing targets.
Builder’s Remedy
When a city’s Housing Element is out of compliance, the Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass the zoning code and city plans another couple of words.
Does not apply
Does not apply
Does not apply
SB 423
When cities lack a compliant housing element or are behind on RHNA, this statute streamlines approval of projects that meet a threshold of affordable units.
10% Affordable & 20% Moderate
10% Affordable & 20% Moderate
Conditions in 
San Francisco County
HE Compliance
How does
 
San Francisco
 
compare to its neighboring cities?
This city is currently doing a better job than its neighbors at meeting housing needs.
Progress
0
0
Income
-4
-4
Density
96
96
Join the Fun!
Key parts of
San Francisco
’s housing element are currently being worked on. Get involved to hold them accountable for meeting their deadlines.
San Francisco County
's Volunteers
121
Current Watchdogs
  
Level V
121/200 Volunteers
Upcoming Opportunities
Add Event
These upcoming events and tasks are great opportunities to make a difference in your community.
Event Name
Date
Type
Stop by Drinks & Agendas
Each Friday at 12:00PST our team gets together via Zoom to monitor local agendas so we can direct watchdogs to key meetings where decisions are being made about housing.
Watchdog Reports
Add Report
Our watchdogs are on the ground observing and taking part in the fight for fair housing. Read their reports below.
San Francisco
's Reports
   
/
 Loss
2
/
7
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
2
/
7
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
2
/
7
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
  
03
/
23

Biggest topic, outside the usual business, was a hearing about Laguna Honda, a public nursing home that lost its federal CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services) funding last year (2022). The cessation of the funding was accompanied by a federal mandate to transfer all remaining residents at the hospital, which resulted in 57 deaths. Because of those deaths, the California Department of Public Health agreed to pause the transfers of patients out of the facility. 

At the Board of Supervisors hearing, interim CEO Roland Pickens answered questions about the issues at Laguna Honda which caused the facility to lose its funding, as well as the hospital's current plans to reinstate its funding and continue treating its patients. On the day of the hearing, CMS had not issued a statement as to whether or not it would require Laguna Honda to continue transferring its patients, which prompted round criticism of the federal body from many of the Supervisors. 

Read More
   
/
 Loss
0
/
15
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
0
/
15
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
0
/
15
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Robert Fruchtman
  
09
/
22

SF Planning says City Attorney David Chiu has told them that the Builder's Remedy until 120 days after the deadline has passed. So SF Planning is getting a draft ready by end of next week (or soon after) to send to HCD after 7 days of public comment have passed. They expect to get a pre-certification letter from HCD. Then they'll have approval hearings at the Planning Commission in February, SFBOS hearings in March/April, and final HCD certification in May.

Read More
San Francisco Planning Commission - Sep 29, 2022
   
09
/
22
 Loss
3
/
10
 Pro Housing
San Francisco Planning Commission - Sep 29, 2022
   
09
/
22
 Win
3
/
10
 Pro Housing
Planning Commission
   
09
/
22
Deferred
3
/
10
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Caitlin Barta
  
01
/
22

There has been thorough community outreach and feedback synthesis that they are applying to the Housing Element, with heavy emphasis on hearing from communities of color. There was a list of fairly specific policy goals laid out based on the feedback. Projected # of units across all economic graphics was shown compared to the past targets and far surpasses what we had before. They openly acknowledged not hitting close to target in the past. I unfortunately had to leave before they concluded.

Read More
San Francisco Planning Commission - Jan 27, 2022
   
01
/
22
 Loss
4
/
4
 Pro Housing
San Francisco Planning Commission - Jan 27, 2022
   
01
/
22
 Win
4
/
4
 Pro Housing
Planning Commission
   
01
/
22
Deferred
4
/
4
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Scott Breudecheck
  
03
/
21

Outreach efforts failed to capture priorities and interest from San Francisco's diverse community.  Most of the digital response predominantly came from white residents, with black residents especially underrepresented.  Closing the digital divide and investing in more in-person events with overlooked groups will require greater investment of time, energy, and funding.

Read More
San Francisco Other Public Meeting - Mar 18, 2021
   
03
/
21
 Loss
3
/
7
 Pro Housing
San Francisco Other Public Meeting - Mar 18, 2021
   
03
/
21
 Win
3
/
7
 Pro Housing
Other Public Meeting
   
03
/
21
Deferred
3
/
7
 Pro Housing