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I hope you had a good summer, and a special welcome back to our students and teachers! Our office has been hard at work during the summer legislative recess, and September is off to a busy start. While there are no shortage of serious challenges right now, there’s also plenty to celebrate and appreciate. Read on to learn how you can plug in and get engaged.
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Before the summer recess, I heard that my SF Examiner opinion editorial resonated, and I wanted to give you some updates on what’s happened since.
After months of asking the Mayor to stand up an Emergency Command Center to coordinate all local, regional, state and federal resources to shut down the drug-supermarkets and open-air illegal fencing rings in Mid-Market, the Tenderloin and the Mission and initially being rebuked , I am pleased that the Mayor reversed course and finally stood up a Command Center on Market Street. I have toured the site several times now and met with the various agency liaisons that are finally starting to coordinate efforts.
While the opening was a positive first step, the ongoing lack of a consistent and coordinated strategy and lack of leadership continuity, coupled with the Mayor’s decision to focus on arresting drug users without viable treatment options instead of arresting and charging brazen drug dealers, have only served to exacerbate the problems. The open-air crime and public health threats have gotten so bad in and around the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building that federal employees were told to work from home for the foreseeable future.
This is untenable and has to stop. I will continue to push for a long-term public safety strategy that is informed by expertise and successful models, has consistent coordinated leadership, and that differentiates between treatable homelessness and behavioral health issues. I am continuing to push for a leaner, more efficient Police Command Staff while concentrating on recruiting and retaining rank-and-file officers to work in our communities. Finally, it is clear that we need our federal and state governments to intervene in targeted areas, and stand up resources for San Francisco, including long deferred hospital and treatment infrastructure.
Today at the Board of Supervisors Special 2:00pm Question Time, I requested an update from the Mayor on progress on all of these issues. Additionally, after more than two months with Police Captain vacancies at both Northern and Central Stations, I am excited to announce that Chief of Police Bill Scott has just appointed two outstanding Captains to oversee these prominent police districts. I’m looking forward to introducing them around our neighborhoods. |
Affordable Housing for Working Families, Seniors and Women
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Today, I introduced a $300 million Affordable Housing Bond, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), which will not only help us meet our state-mandated affordable housing goals, but will help build affordable homes for our most vulnerable communities impacted by the pandemic’s economic fallout and rising rents: our working families, our seniors and women fleeing abuse and poverty. The bond will be placed on the March 2024 ballot, and is part of a pro-housing package that came out of the Inclusionary Housing negotiations led by myself and the Mayor over the past several months.
This week, the Mayor will sign our Inclusionary Housing legislative package into law, which temporarily reduces affordable housing requirements and defers impact fees in private development in an effort to jumpstart a stalled housing pipeline. The legislation was informed by a months-long Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) process staffed by private market-rate developers and affordable housing developers, and overseen by the Controller’s Office.
While nobody is happy about reducing our current inclusionary affordable housing requirements, this economic moment requires it. The legislation will be complemented by both the $300 million affordable housing bond and other efforts to build housing for low-income families. We have an imperative to act quickly to address our affordable housing crisis, and I’m excited to continue this work with the development community and all of you. |
"Love Your District" Community Clean Up Day
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Join us on September 16th at 9:00am as we come together at Francisco Middle School to volunteer to keep San Francisco beautiful through litter cleanup, planting, and landscaping. This will be a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and make an impact. This event was formerly known as Community Clean Team Day— SF Public Works’ longest running volunteer program which had been placed on hold due to the COVID19 pandemic. This year, the revamped program is back for a second year with more of the rewarding “civic pride satisfaction” the volunteers enjoy benefitting all communities throughout the district! |
Help Us Fight For Community Open Space in "Park Deserts"
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District 3 has long struggled with the least amount of open green space in San Francisco, with dense low-income neighborhoods like Chinatown and the Tenderloin particularly impacted. Community members have started to refer to these neighborhoods as “park deserts”, and pushed back on the myth that everyone is served by a park within a ten-minute walk of their home.
This is particularly true in Lower Nob Hill/Lower Polk/Upper Tenderloin, which is populated by a high number of seniors and a growing concentration of low-income families and permanent supportive housing. In June of 2016, the voters extended the Recreation & Parks Department Open Space Fund with the caveat that RPD develop an equity analysis of funding and service levels in low-income neighborhoods and disadvantaged communities - and prioritize those neighborhoods for new parks and open space. Unfortunately for neighborhoods like the Tenderloin and Chinatown, opportunity development sites are hard to come by in these developed areas that have historically been already built out.
Email RPD Director Phil Ginsburg and let him know that this community deserves safe and accessible open green space and parks now. |
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September is Transit Month! I have been proud to fight alongside transit operators and riders to ensure we maintain a mass transit system that is equitable, accessible, affordable, and safe. Special thanks to our SFCTA CAC rep, Rosa Chen, and our SFMTA CAC rep, Queena Chen, who have helped to make sure that vital transit routes were not cut during the pandemic and that our agencies are listening to the needs of our transit-dependent communities.
As you may have seen in the press, I have been working in partnership with the Mayor, the Fire Chief, the Director of Transportation, the County Transportation Authority and the City Attorney’s Office in opposition to the recent California Public Utilities Commission decision to allow autonomous vehicle companies Cruise and Waymo to deploy an unlimited number of robo-taxis on our city streets. This is of particular concern given the increasing number of incidents where autonomous vehicles have interfered with our first responders in emergency situations. The City also has legitimate concerns about traffic congestion and impacts to public transit. For the time being, the State DMV has temporarily halted Cruise’s unlimited expansion in the wake of two AV crashes, while undertaking an investigation.
Read More:
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My office has been working closely with SFMTA on the next District 3 Vision Zero Quick-Build project, and we want to hear from you.The Sutter Street Quick-Build Project is intended to deliver transportation, cyclist and pedestrian safety on the project corridor from Market Street to Polk Street for all users, as well as improve transit reliability and bike network connectivity.
Please take the following survey so SFMTA can better understand deliveries, passenger pick-ups and drop-offs, and other activities that require the use of the sidewalk curb along Sutter Street.
You may recall that in 2019, I authored a ballot measure to levy a fee on all rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft (and I note will also apply to AVs when they are in revenue service). With your support, we passed Prop D with over two-thirds of the vote, and those funds have been financing Vision Zero quick-build projects ever since. Sutter Street follows on the heels of quick-build projects on Battery, Sansome and the Embarcadero. For more information, email the SFMTA project team.
Also get more updates on the Hyde Street Quick Build Project, which we are hoping to move quickly in the lead-up to the 2023 APEC Leaders Summit. |
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS & EVENTS
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Welcome to our two new Police Captains - Jahan “Eric” Kim from Central Station and Jason Sawyer from Northern Station. Together, they cover the entirety of District 3. I can’t wait to introduce them to you at one of our next community events in the neighborhood. You can also meet them in person at one of their upcoming Police Station Community Meetings in their respective police districts. |
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Central Captain Jahan “Eric” Kim
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Northern Captain Jason Sawyer
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Honoring Our Rescue Heroes
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At last week’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting, I had the privilege of acknowledging the outstanding efforts of the Asian Firefighters Association who embarked on a one-week humanitarian mission in the aftermath of the Maui fire. They provided essential support to the fire victims, including food, water, and other necessities, as well as helping fight another fire alongside the Maui Fire Department.
The AFA is gearing up for a second mission trip. If you're looking for a way to support their incredible cause, you can visit their charitable foundation website. Every little bit helps make a difference!
A heartfelt thank you to AFA President Stan Lee and the entire AFA team for their unwavering solidarity and dedication to helping the Hawaiian community recover. |
Emperor Norton Place Celebration
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Don't miss this chance to meet the one and only Emperor Joshua Norton and celebrate the commemorative naming of his street. Please see the attached link for a fun event commemorating one of San Francisco's most beloved folk heroes, and the recent naming of Emperor Norton Place (the 600 block of Commercial Street). Please help spread the word!
EMPEROR NORTON PLACE Celebration! | Facebook
We hope to see you there! |
New Addition of District 3 Legacy Businesses
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San Francisco’s rich history and diverse culture are truly remarkable, with long-established small businesses playing a vital role in shaping our city over generations. I want to express my gratitude to our city’s legacy businesses and extend a warm welcome to the five new D3 businesses that have joined the legacy business registry.
- Ellie and Eva Company - 709 Jackson Street, Chinatown
- Adventure Cat Sailing Charters - Pier 39, Dock J
- Frascati Restaurant - 1901 Hyde Street, Russian Hill
- The Irish Bank Bar and Restaurant - 10 Mark Lane, Union Square
- Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe - 566 Columbus Ave., North Beach
Supporting our local economy is imperative to ensure small businesses continue to thrive and remain open. Learn more about San Francisco’s legacy business program and check out some of these iconic locations. |
Several programs, grants, and informational materials are available to support small business owners in San Francisco. My office compiled many of these into an informational fact sheet that will hopefully provide small business owners with the resources they need to succeed. Check out our District 3 Small Business Information Sheet to learn more about these resources. |
Earlier this year, over 100 complaints related to alleged unpermitted installation of awnings were filed against small businesses across the city - many of them were located in Chinatown, Richmond, Haight and the Tenderloin. While I agree that safety of these structures is paramount, our small business community also needs a break, especially as they work hard on recovering from years of economic downturn.
In collaboration with the Mayor, I introduced legislation to create an Awning Amnesty Program to allow these business owners to quickly apply for a permit. The legislation received the full Board's approval and the process is now open for applications.
The new streamlined permitting process for existing awnings requires no contractor or installer, and no additional permit, inspection, or penalty fees. For more information, please visit the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection website, visit the Permit Center Help Desk at 49 South Van Ness, or contact the Office of Small Business. Make sure you apply before the deadline on June 1, 2024! |
Need Help with a Mental Health or Substance Use Problem?
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Thanks to advocacy efforts by Supervisor Ronen and a coalition of health professionals, the City has stood up a Mental Health SF program with resources to help prevent crises and promote community well-being. You can find out more information here. |
SFUSD Prekindergarten-12th grade Enrollment Fair
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SAVE THE DATE. Join the 2024-25 SFUSD Prekindergarten-12th grade Enrollment Fair on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 10am to 2pm at John O’ Connell High School. Meet principals, teachers, and current parents from all schools. Learn about school programs, how to apply, and more! To subscribe to get updates about the Fair, click here.
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Navigating Student Loan Debt and Repayment
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As we head into Fall, the not-so-great news is that student loan payments are back on the table for millions of us. The COVID-19 payment break is over, and student borrowers are dealing with paying off their loans again. But here’s the silver lining: the Biden Administration is introducing some new initiatives to make this repayment process a bit less of a headache.
Join the SF Office of Financial Empowerment for a webinar that will break all of this down! Let's cut through the confusion with our expert partners from TISLA.
The Office of Financial Empowerment will cover the latest and greatest on repayment options and relief programs. Feeling frustrated and looking for one-on-one support? Connect with the financial counselors at OFE's Smart Money Coaching—completely free of charge and available to anyone who lives, works, or receives services in San Francisco. They can guide you on your unique situation with strategies to tackle your debt, boost your credit, and reach your financial goals. Call 877-256-0073 or make an appointment here.
The event is on Tuesday, October 3, 12:00 – 1:30 PM PST. Secure your spot by registering now! |
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Board of Supervisors | District 3 | Aaron Peskin
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