Supervisor Hillary Ronen - 09012021 Newsletter

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September/ October 2021
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Buena Vista Horace Mann School Conditions Hearing, Street Violence Response, Homelessness Updates, Affordable Housing News, and More

Dear Neighbors,

August and September brought about a lot of change, both citywide and for District 9. In-person learning resumed for public school students, we celebrated victories like more affordable housing in District 9, justice for our youth, and the anniversary of the American Indian Cultural District. We welcomed Nikita Saini to the District 9 staff team and Amadeos Oyagata to the District 9 Seat on the Youth Commision. As we start to rebuild, I am continuing to keep a close eye on public safety in our neighborhoods, fighting for clean government reform and weeding out corruption, advocating for our most vulnerable students and school community, and addressing homelessness in the district.

In this newsletter, you’ll find the latest from our office on:

Street Violence Response
Hearing on BVHM School Conditions
Homelessness Update
First Year Free for Small Businesses
Meet Our Newest District 9 Staffer, Nikita Saini
New D9 Youth Commissioner Amadeos Oyagata
Justice for Youth
Celebrating the American Indian Cultural District
Affordable Housing News
Clean Government Reform
Portola Public Safety
Resources and Community Announcements: Rent Relief, Small Business Help, Local Events

We are available by email: ronenstaff@sfgov.org or by phone at 415-554-5144 (leave a message, and we will call you back-- we are checking voicemail frequently). Check for updates on my Twitter and Facebook.

Street Violence Response

Recently, there has been a marked increase in street violence in the Mission, including a daytime shooting two weeks ago close to a park where children were playing. This deeply concerns me. Sadly, our district and city is not unique in this, but the number of incidents has been shocking.

Mission Station Captain Rachel Moran is increasing police presence in many areas where these crimes occurred. In addition, the community-based Street Violence Intervention and Prevention team are engaging and de-escalating where there is potential for retribution or continued violence. Finally, I am working with community members to establish a District 9 Vision Zero Violence Prevention Plan.

My heart goes out to all persons affected by these tragedies. Many members of the community are scared. I want you to know I am following the situation closely, working with our public safety officials to bring extra attention and resources to the neighborhood, and will continue to do everything in my power to prevent further violence.

Hearing on BVHM School Conditions

I am hosting a public hearing about the conditions at Buena Vista Horace Mann K-to-8 Community School on Friday, October 8, at 10 am at the Youth, Young Adults, and Families Committee. I encourage BVHM parents, faculty, students, and community members to listen in and voice their concerns.

Last month, there was a dangerous gas leak at BVHM. After a loose pilot gas fitting on a boiler was discovered, PG&E ordered all 480 students to evacuate. This incident followed years of complaints about unsafe building conditions, including deteriorating floors and ceilings, drastically high heat, and rodent infestations. We need a plan and timeline now to resolve these unacceptable conditions.

BVHM faculty and SFUSD representatives will be there to present and answer questions. Watch the hearing live on Cable Channel 26, 78 or 99 or online at www.sfgovtv.org. To provide public comment, CALL-IN at (415) 655-0001. The Meeting ID is 2498 672 0699 # #

Homelessness Update

The overlapping crises of homelessness, addiction, overdoses, and mental illness continue to be a major challenge, both citywide and in District 9. It is a priority focus for me and my staff. What’s unclear to many of us is -- who do you call when you see an individual in distress on the street?

The Department of Emergency Management confirmed that, as of right now, calling 911 and specifically asking for the Street Crisis Response Team will direct the dispatcher to send out trained teams of medical clinicians and social workers.

I’ll be following up with a public hearing soon to learn the scope, hours, capacity and method to contact the various Street Teams working with individuals experiencing homelessness or in crisis.

Shelters Reopen

Initial COVID-19 protocols closed homeless shelters whenever there was one positive case. This severely restricted the City’s options to help unhoused people find an alternative to living on the street. Recently, the Department of Public Health changed the protocol so that the shelter can remain open so long as no more than two positive cases are present. With no outbreaks resulting from this change in protocol, the doors to shelters have remained open, adding to the options available for outreach teams to bring people indoors and off the street.

First Year Free for Small Businesses

In June, with the enthusiastic support of Sharky Laguana and William Ortiz Cartagena of the SF Small Business Commission, I introduced First Year Free -- legislation to create a one-year pilot to waive first-year permit, license, and business registration fees for new, small, storefront businesses. The Board of Supervisors passed my legislation and we were able to include funding for it in the 2021-22 budget.

As we build back, First Year Free will remove a significant financial barrier that City fees create for prospective small business owners, even before they ever open their doors.

The First Year Free program will be available as of November 1 to qualified new businesses and existing businesses with new locations who commence business between November 1, 2021 and October 31, 2022. Visit sftreasurer.org/FirstYearFree for the latest information.

Meet Our Newest District 9 Staffer, Nikita Saini!

Pictured from left to right: Santiago Lerma, Nikita Saini, Amy Beinart, Hillary Ronen, Jennifer Li

This month, we welcomed new Legislative Aide Nikita Saini to the District 9 team. Nikita is an Indian immigrant who was raised in the Bay Area. Prior to joining our office, she worked as a Public Defender in both Santa Clara and San Francisco County. During her time at the Public Defender’s Office, she fiercely fought to protect indigent rights and tried over 26 cases.

She was also recently on the board of the Asian American Criminal Trial Lawyers Association, a nonprofit organization which promotes the fair administration of justice for all by ensuring meaningful participation of Asian Americans in the legal profession. She enjoys volunteering at community events such as free legal clinics through One Justice and the annual BMAGIC backpack giveaway. In her spare time, she can be found sailing around the bay or exploring art galleries.

Introducing District 9 Youth Commissioner Amadeos Oyagatas

I'm pleased to introduce Amadeos Oyagatas, who was sworn in this month as our new District 9 Youth Commissioner. Amadeos is a young indigenous man, son of two immigrants, born and raised in the Mission District. He helped create the Youth Economic Bill of Rights. Amadeos has shown utmost grace and maturity even before being sworn in as Youth Commissioner, and I’m looking forward to working with him to effect change and bring youth voices to the table!

Justice for Youth

Elected District Attorneys, and not individual police officers, should decide when and where to prosecute juveniles accused of committing crimes in SF. The Board of Supervisors passed my legislation in September codifying this policy in a 10-1 vote. Much appreciation to both San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and SFPD Chief William Scott for helping to codify this practice and protect our youth.

Celebrating the American Indian Cultural District’s One Year Anniversary

This month, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of the American Indian Cultural District. I created the City's cultural district designation in 2018 to protect the spirit and identity of a growing number of San Francisco neighborhoods threatened by gentrification and displacement.

In 2020, with the leadership and guidance of the local American Indian community, I legislated the American Indian Cultural District. The American Indian Cultural District is situated within the Mission District and Mission Dolores neighborhoods, an area with a unique concentration of Native American historical markers, cultural resources, services, and gathering spaces.

No government can undo the harm perpetuated against native people, but we will do everything we possibly can to honor, resource, listen, see, and uplift the American Indian community in San Francisco.

Affordable Housing News

Grand Opening of Casa de la Misión

Nothing beats an affordable housing grand opening, whether it’s live or on-line (the photo above is from the pre-COVID ground-breaking). Thanks to an innovative partnership between Mission Neighborhood Centers and Mercy Housing, Casa de la Misión recently opened with 44 newly built supportive apartments for homeless seniors, truly safe and stable housing for our community's most fragile residents in the center of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.

This inspiring accomplishment makes me hungry for more, and I am committed to continue to work with community-based organizations and advocates to ensure we take advantage of every possible opportunity to create more affordable housing in District 9 during my time in office. Welcome home to our newest neighbors!

Closing Loopholes in Affordable Housing Requirements

At the end of July, I introduced legislation to close significant loopholes and gaps in our Planning Code’s requirements for affordable housing in new market-rate development. San Francisco's Inclusionary Housing Program is a critical part of our overall affordable housing strategy, and we offer developers several ways to fulfill their obligations.

Without clear requirements to ensure that the public gets what is promised, developer obligations can slip through the cracks. This legislation will ensure that changes after project approval remain true to the program goals and sets clear timelines and enforcement mechanisms for timely marketing and occupancy of the affordable units. The legislation will be heard at the Planning Commission on October 14 and Land Use & Transportation Committee on October 18 before returning to the full Board for a vote.

Cooperative Living for People with Mental Illness

In 2019, in collaboration with several of our most effective providers of mental health services, I authored and passed legislation to create the Cooperative Living for Mental Health program and assured that funding was in place to get it started.

The pandemic slowed us down, but the great news is that the City has now partnered with Conard House to acquire the first two properties: one in the Mission and one in SOMA. One of the most glaring gaps in our response to mental illness is the lack of housing options for people exiting residential treatment programs. For many people who are dealing with a combination of psychiatric and addiction issues, the key to stability and success is to be away from larger, sometimes hectic living situations that can trigger continued crises. Cooperative living can open the door to stability and serenity in their lives. These two purchases mark a great step forward addressing our broken mental healthcare system.

Clean Government Reform

It is becoming clearer by the day that the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) is a broken institution that desperately needs fundamental change. Supervisors Peskin, Melgar, and I are working together to explore potential options for meaningful structural and systemic DBI reform via a Charter ballot in June 2022.

Mission Local reporter Joe Eskenazi recently published a story alleging missing permits and false inspections on property owned by Building Inspection Commission President Angus McCarthy as well as possible insider conflicts in his interactions with DBI clients. Commissioner McCarthy sent a detailed response denying every allegation and welcoming an investigation. Sadly, the weekly scandals that are accompanying these continual allegations have eroded our faith in DBI to monitor itself. I have submitted a formal request to the City Attorney to investigate and report to the Board of Supervisors on these allegations.

I will also be holding a hearing on DBI’s implementation of the Expanded Compliance Control legislation I wrote and passed in March with cosponsorship of every member of the Board. The law is intended to protect the public by requiring tracking and reporting of parties associated with significant building code violations. Stay tuned for the date and time.

Portola Public Safety

I attended a Portola safety walk with San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, Chief of Staff David Campos, and SFPD Captain David Maron where we said hi to merchants and let them know of city resources.

Our office is in constant contact with Captain David Maron, who has been very responsive and attentive to Portola neighborhood safety issues. The Portola neighborhood is part of the SFPD Bayview Police Station.

After advocacy from my office, the Bayview Police Station has a Portola substation, and assigned regular footbeat officers to patrol the Portola; you may have seen Officers Ng, Gong, and Percy in the neighborhood.

After being closed for a period due to the pandemic, the Portola SFPD Substation is open again on Wednesdays 3:00-6:00pm and Saturdays from 12:00pm-3:00pm; residents can find officers there who speak Spanish and English. The SFPD Substation is located at 2565 San Bruno Ave.

If you have not already, please subscribe to the Bayview SFPD newsletter; the Captain holds monthly community meetings where he listens to concerns of residents. He sends weekly updates on crime stats, including how many calls for services were made, information on burglaries, firearms seized, crime prevention tips, and more.

The next Bayview Community Meeting with Captain Maron is on October 5; RSVP at community@sfsafe.org. It takes all of us to keep our community safe!

Resources and Announcements

Resources For Tenants And Landlords With Unpaid Rent Due To Covid-19

APPLY NOW FOR the CA COVID-19 RENT RELIEF AT: housing.ca.gov to get up to 100% of past due rent and utilities PAID.

ATTENTION: If you have already applied for the San Francisco program, you must also apply for the state's CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program at housingiskey.com. For more information, visit here.

TENANTS: Do not move out! You have rights even after the moratorium expires and rental assistance coverage is through at least March 31, 2022. If you have not paid 25% of the rent for the period September 2020 – September 2021, please contact sfrenthelp@evictiondefense.org. If you receive any eviction papers (documents that contain words like “summons” or “complaint” or “unlawful detainer”), please contact legal@evictiondefense.org or 415-659-9184 as soon as possible.

Presented in partnership with Carnaval San Francisco, Sunday Streets Phoenix Day on Valencia will run from 16th Street to 24th Street with car-free fun for the whole family. Featuring live music and dance performances from the Carnaval family + health, biking, and transit resources.

Proof of Vaccination Requirements, Third Doses for Immunocompromised People, and Indoor Mask Mandate

Vaccinating as many people as possible, as soon as possible, is our best protection against COVID-19 and how we can keep our children under 12 and those with weakened immune systems safe.Widely available, safe and effective, vaccines offer the best protection against serious hospitalization or death. Please, if you are eligible to get vaccinated and have not done so already, now is the time. Find how to book an appointment here.

As of August 20, proof of full vaccination is required for patrons at some businesses and all large indoor events. Click here for more information.
Click here for information on how to verify your vaccines status.

Masks and face coverings are still required to be worn indoors in public places, regardless of vaccination status. Masks and face coverings are recommended for outdoor events with 5,000+ patrons. Learn more about masks and face coverings here.

For information on boosters shots and additional doses of the vaccine, click here.

San Francisco To Open Covid-19 Testing Site For SFUSD Students And Staff

The City is partnering with SFUSD to open a COVID-19 testing site at Crocker Amazon sports complex, 799 Moscow Street and Geneva Street, in the Excelsior District with 150 tests per day for SFUSD students and staff starting October 5. The new is open 8 am to noon on Tuesdays and Fridays. Walk-ups are encouraged, appointments are not required, and test results will be available within 24 to 48 hours.

Small Business Resources, Vandalism Grants

OEWD's Business Services team is hosting virtual info sessions on the first Tuesday of the month, from 2:00pm to 3:15pm.

In partnership with California Employment Development Department, San Francisco Human Services Agency, San Francisco Labor Council and Covered California, they'll be answering questions and presenting the latest information on the unemployment insurance filing process, healthcare resources, career services, jobs training, unemployment assistance for independent contractors, and information for Union members to assist workers during the critical time. Participants may register here: workforce.oewd.org/RR

Businesses that are considering work stoppages, layoffs, or furloughs, and employees experiencing a layoff benefit from these virtual info sessions. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the OEWD Business Services team at 415-701-4848 or email them at business.services@sfgov.org.

Information on the OEWD vandalism relief grant program is available at oewd.org/VandalismRelief. Grants of $1,000 or $2,000 can go towards storefront vandalism-related damages. Incidents are retroactive to January 1, 2021. For more information, please email VandalismRelief@sfgov.org.