Dear Friends & Neighbors,
Happy Year of the Tiger and Black History Month! We hope everyone has been enjoying Lunar New Year Festivities so far. On behalf of the entire District 5 office, we hope this new year will bring you and your loved ones health, prosperity, and strength. In addition, our office is excited to join our community in commemorating Black History Month for the entire month of February. Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate, acknowledge and reflect on the immeasurable contributions of Black Americans, while also honoring the legacies and achievements of generations past, acknowledging centuries of injustice, and confronting injustices that continue to exist today. Our office will continue fighting for a more equitable city for the Black community and San Francisco as a whole, especially as our city continues exploring reparations. Interested in learning more? Check out the African American Reparations Advisory Committee’s latest report on its process and stay tuned for a hearing on the Dream Keeper Initiative in the Government Audit and Oversight Committee next month.
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➩ Holding Space for Community
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| Our office is aware of two shootings in the Fillmore. There was a Sunday night shooting near Eddy Street and Divisadero Street and another on Wednesday evening on the 1200 block of Buchanan. Our hearts go out to those directly affected and to the community at large which is understandably shaken up. We have received only limited information regarding both incidents. One person was injured by gunfire during the Sunday night shooting; she was taken to the hospital and is reportedly in stable condition. Similarly, one person– presumed a victim from the shooting– was dropped off at the hospital shortly after the Wednesday evening shooting with gunshot wounds, and was marked as being in stable condition. We have no details regarding potential suspects, leads, or motives, but we are actively monitoring the case for further details. We are also working with city partners to gather information and resources, and meeting with community members to support safety efforts and healing. Please reach out to our office if you need any support at PrestonStaff@sfgov.org.
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After a significant surge in total daily case rates, citywide COVID-19 numbers are now decreasing and hospitalizations appear to be decreasing slowly. We are continuing to monitor the situation and are available to help our constituents who need assistance during this difficult time.
Updates to our Local COVID-19 Order
The Department of Public Health has issued two new health orders with updated guidance. Below is a summary of significant changes:
- San Francisco office workers, gym members, and other “stable cohorts” of people may remove masks indoors again with an additional requirement that individuals in these stable cohort groups be “up to date” on their vaccinations, including boosters. For those that can not meet up-to-date vaccination requirements, they must show proof of a negative test and wear masks.
- For indoor mega-events, individuals can show a negative COVID-19 test as an alternative to up-to-date on vaccinations in alignment with state guidance.
- The local Health Order now allows religious and medical exemptions to vaccination requirements as long as there is proof of a negative COVID-19 test, in alignment with state guidance.
- The deadline for personnel in high-risk settings to be up-to-date on vaccinations was also extended to March 1, 2022.
- Early childcare programs now have requirements around isolation and quarantine– children ages 2 and older who tested positive may return to childcare after 5 days of isolation with a negative test and no symptoms, while children under 2 must complete a full 10-day isolation because they cannot wear masks. Children of all ages that are exposed and considered a close contact may remain in childcare as long as they are asymptomatic and are tested regularly (at minimum two times within a week at least 36 hours apart).
Vaccines & Boosters
Locally, the Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging everyone who is eligible to get their vaccinations and boosters as soon as possible. Children as young as 5 years of age are now eligible to be vaccinated, while boosters are available for children ages 12 and up.
For those who need vaccines or boosters, you can check out these sites in or near District 5, which have first, second, and booster doses available:
- Kaiser Geary Campus Vaccine Tent, 2670 Geary Blvd *New Location*
- Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm for drop-ins, 4:30pm for appointments; available to general public, book online
- Ella Hill Hutch Center, 1181 Golden Gate, 628-652-2700
- Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, 10am to 6pm, book online
- Third Baptist Church, 1339 McAllister
- Walgreens, 1899 Fillmore, 415-771-4603,
- Walgreens, 1363 Divisadero, 415-931-9974
- Walgreens, 2100 Webster, 415-441-5742
You can find more city sites and information at sf.gov/vaccine-sites or by calling 628-652-2700.
Testing
We know there is continued high demand for testing around the city, and will continue advocating for reliable testing access locally. The Department of Public Health is urging those who can to set up testing through their providers. However, here are some public sites in or near District 5:
- Ella Hill Hutch Center, 1181 Golden Gate, 628-652-2700, drop in
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Third Baptist Church, 1339 McAllister, register here
- Glide Memorial Church, 330 Ellis Street, drop in
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Japantown Peace Plaza, 1610 Geary Blvd, drop in
- Friday, February 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
You can look up other available testing sites here. For SFUSD students, please check the district's test sites here.
Resources if COVID-19 Positive
If you test positive and need help to isolate or quarantine, the City has resources available. The City can:
- Help set up a space where you can isolate or quarantine away from others
- Help with food delivery and cleaning supplies
- Get testing appointments and quarantine guidance for close contacts
- Provide financial assistance for those who test positive and meet eligibility requirements through the City's Right to Recover Program
- Help get you mental health support
To be connected to these resources, you can call 628-217-6101 and leave a message. Your call will be returned within 24 hours (Monday-Friday). You can also dial 211 for other resources, including mental health support.
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➩ Get Involved in Redistricting
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Following the release of 2020 federal census results, the boundaries of various voting districts must be adjusted so that each district has a similar number of voters. This process is called redistricting. In San Francisco, this will require re-drawing the supervisor districts.
Members of the public are encouraged to participate in any meetings held by the San Francisco Redistricting Task Force — in addition to providing general comments, anyone is welcome to submit proposed boundary lines to any or all of the City’s Supervisorial districts. The next Redistricting Task Force Meeting is online on February 7, 2022 at 5:30 p.m., and will discuss District 11 but is open for comment from residents of any district.
Check out the online redistricting tool here. |
➩ “Bombshell” Report on Empty Homes
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On Monday the Budget and Legislative Analyst published a “bombshell” report commissioned by my office on residential vacancies in San Francisco. The report makes clear what we have long suspected – real estate speculators and wealthy people with second homes are holding thousands of units off the market, with more than 40,000 empty homes citywide. The report concludes that policy intervention could activate thousands of homes – 4,460 units in just two years – and generate tens of millions of dollars annually.
In a city with a long-standing housing affordability crisis, with thousands of people living on our streets, we cannot continue to allow thousands of homes to sit vacant for no good reason. It is immoral, and I believe we must intervene to activate these homes.
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➩ Passed: 10-Day Eviction Warning Legislation
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Great news– tenants will have a 10 day warning period before they can be legally evicted under a groundbreaking anti-displacement law, which passed unanimously on Tuesday at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
We are looking to take measures that have worked in our pandemic response and make them permanent, and one of the biggest positive changes during COVID has been, for the most part, making evictions a tool of last resort, rather than the starting point for landlord-tenant disputes. Now, before filing a 3-day eviction notice, a landlord will be required to provide a 10-day warning period, allowing the tenant an opportunity to correct the behavior that could lead to eviction. It is the first warning legislation by a California city to divert tenant/landlord disputes from formal eviction proceedings.
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➩ Permanent Supportive Housing in D5
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We are excited to announce that the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed legislation to acquire the property at 835 Turk Street, formerly known as the Gotham, which will add even more new units of permanent supportive housing. The new property will help many San Franciscans experiencing homelessness get the shelter and support they need. The new units will ensure vulnerable San Franciscans can tend to their physical and mental health in a stable and permanent environment. Our office looks forward to working in partnership with the Mayor and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing on more efforts like these. We hope this marks a new era of expanding permanent supportive housing in District 5!
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➩ Going to Bat for 100% Affordable Housing in D5
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I was proud to support legislation that will move forward 100% affordable housing in my district at 78 Haight Street. On Tuesday, January 25th we co-sponsored legislation to take the next step at 78 Haight to create a 100% affordable, 63-unit multifamily rental housing development affordable to low-income households, including 32 units for Transitional Age Youth.
This is one piece of long-promised affordable housing for the Hayes Valley neighborhood. As a result of the city removing portions of the Central Freeway in 1989, a number of parcels were transferred from the Caltrans to the City, including the property at 78 Haight Street.
With the legislation, we’re taking an important step toward realizing the community vision for affordable housing on these city-owned parcels, and I want to be clear that my office is pushing to develop as much of this property as possible for 100% affordable housing.
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D5 is still searching for more Community Ambassadors! We worked hard in the budget process to get Community Ambassadors for our neighborhoods, and we were thrilled to meet up with our current team in Hayes Valley. The Ambassadors promote safety, assist residents and visitors, and serve as a visible presence in our neighborhoods. Thank you to the SF Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs for growing this program and bringing it to our district. Interested residents can apply here!
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➩ Recognizing Our Work in Japantown
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We were honored to be presented with a handmade daruma, a good luck charm, for our work in and commitment to the Japantown community. The round shape of the daruma is to allow the daruma to swing back into the upright position if it is knocked over. There is a Japanese proverb that states even though you are pushed down seven times, you will rise on your eighth (Nanakorobi Yaoki). Our sincere thanks to Diane Matsuda, Paul Osaki and Robert Sakai for bestowing this honor on our office!
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➩ Neighborhood Win! New Trash Cans for Hayes Valley
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| Our office was pleased to see that six new trash cans were installed near Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley this week. We heard from neighbors with frustration about how much–and how often—trash spilled out on the streets and sidewalks from the overflowing cans. In response, our office, working with the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, secured funding in last year’s budget for more secure replacement cans. On Wednesday, we learned that Public Works had installed the new and improved receptacles. Thank you to HVNA and all the neighbors who contacted our office and made this a priority. Sidewalk socialism, for the win.
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➩ District 5 Gets Reduced Speeds on Key Roads
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We are excited to share that in January, San Francisco began lowering speed limits to 20 mph on select corridors using new authority granted under Assembly Bill 43 (AB 43). AB 43 allows local jurisdictions to reduce speed limits in key areas, particularly 5 mph in business activity districts (that is, those streets where at least half of the property uses are dining or retail).
Two of the first seven corridors for which the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will reduce the speed limit from 25 to 20 mph are in District 5:
- Fillmore Street, from Chestnut to Union streets and from Jackson to McAllister streets;
- Haight Street, from Stanyan Street to Central Avenue and from Webster to Steiner streets.
Following the initial seven corridors, the SFMTA will propose additional business activity district corridors for potential 20 mph speed limit reductions to the SFMTA Board this spring.
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Muni lines in District 5 are set to return soon. This is a significant development and showed the power of organizing and coalition building to impact decision-makers at the MTA. Transit riders, operators, senior and disabled advocates, and a broad range of community leaders spoke with a unified voice after months of MTA offering no commitment regarding whether suspended lines would ever return to service. Many of these lines were on the chopping block, just months ago, but MTA leadership recently changed course, recommending restoration of nearly all lines, a position adopted by the MTA Board this week.
We are also aware of current COVID-19 related staffing challenges that are interfering with Muni service and are in touch with MTA regarding the situation. We look forward to seeing the situation improve as infections decrease. Public transit has been one of my office's top priorities since I was elected. Our work is not done to create a world class system that includes better service and no fares, but this is a major step forward. See you on the bus!
For more information, click here.
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➩ Animal Commission Highlights D5 Team Pets
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Team members Kyle Smeallie, Melissa Hernandez, and their respective animal companions were featured in the Animal Commission’s latest story on “The Purring and Barking Hearts of Our Home.” You can read the piece here ! If you're interested in supporting our city's animals, please visit the Friends of San Francisco Animal Care & Control’s Amazon Smile page for a list of needed items you can donate. In addition, if you're interested in fostering animals, you can complete Animal Care & Control's foster form. Those interested in adopting are now able to participate in virtual adoptions.
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Kezar Triangle Work Party
Saturday, February 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. @ 98 Lincoln Way
Volunteer with the Department of Public Works and fellow neighbors to refresh the triangle with a little bit of neighborly TLC: weeding, pruning, and cleaning up trash. Don’t have gardening skills? That’s okay! There will be plenty to do for anyone who stops by. You must sign up here to attend.
SFPL Presents: Richie Unterberger on “Blues Greats”
Saturday, February 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In honor of African-American History Month, author and music historian Richie Unterberger presents "Blues Greats." This program features filmed performances from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s like Howlin' Wolf, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, John Lee Hooker, Otis Rush, B.B. King and others. Unterberger discusses the songs and artists during the event, and takes questions from the audience about blues history. Register here.
Kids in the City Casting Call
Sunday, February 6 at noon @ 423 Scott Street
Kids in the City is holding a casting call for youth ages 5-18 for a fashion production event in March 2022. Just show up at Mommas’s House, 423 Scott Street. Mask must be worn at all times. You can find out more information by reaching out to kidsinthecity2018@gmail.com or visiting their website.
SFPL Presents: Workshop: Meditation in the African American Center
Wednesday, February 9 from noon to 1:00 p.m. @ Main Library, 100 Larkin St.
Take a break and build a practice of wakefulness and tranquility here in the African American Center with Disability rights activist and contributor to the Netflix documentary, Crip Camp, Dennis Billups. There is time for questions (optional) after the meditation session. This is a secular approach to an old tradition. Appropriate for people of all faiths including atheists. This is a partnership between the African American Center and Talking Books and Braille Center at the Main San Francisco Public Library. This event will take place every Wednesday in February. More information here.
SFPL Presents: Quincy Troupe in Conversation with Danny Glover & Terry McMillan
Thursday, February 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (virtual)
Quincy Troupe, “Poet of the Deep Song,” is joined in conversation by two lifelong friends, actor Danny Glover and bestselling author Terry McMillan. Dr. Kim McMillon moderates this virtual program, which celebrates the release of Troupe’s new collected poems, DUENDE: Poems, 1966–Now, a gathering of more than 50 years of lyrical, evocative writing. The program also honors Troupe’s years of collaboration with visual artists and musicians and features guest cameos and videos by Mildred Howard, Will Calhoun and J.D. Parran. Register here.
City Job Fair
Saturday, February 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The city will be holding a free job fair at the Hamilton Recreation Center (1900 Geary Boulevard). Stop by to learn about opportunities with various city departments and community-based organizations! Representatives from city agencies will also have community information, job training information, and will offer attendees assistance with their applications. Please register to attend the job fair here, and feel free to reach out to coordinators at RPD_recruitment@sfgov.org or (415) 831-2726 with any questions.
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Free Respite Child Care for Essential Workers
Family Support Services is offering free respite child care day or night for San Francisco parents/essential workers who qualify. Do you need a break? Do you have appointments and need short-term respite child care? Do you have a family emergency? Do you need overnight respite child care? For more information or to set up respite care, please contact Family Support Services at:
(415) 728 -7444 - Katrina Brooks, Respite Coordinator (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
(415) 279 -3213 - After hours only
Hygiene Supplies Available At Ella Hill Hutch
Through the efforts of various organizations and supporters, Ella hill Hutch continues to have hygiene supplies available for community members from Monday through Friday at 1050 McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94115. Community members who need supplies are encouraged to stop by to pick up what they need, including: deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, bandaids, and period supplies. Community members who have questions or are interested in dropping off supplies are encouraged to reach out to Executive Director of the Mo’MAGIC program, Brittany Ford, at brittany@momagic.org.
Grants for Lower Haight Businesses
The Lower Haight Merchants & Neighborhood Association (LoHaMNA) has created a Community Fund to directly help Lower Haight small businesses. Through this fund, LoHaMNA has distributed $13,500 in financial support to dozens of local merchants. This year, they have allocated ten $500 grants to help merchants with operational expenses, including payroll, maintenance, utilities, and other essential business services. LoHaMNA encourages all merchants to apply, even if they are unsure whether they qualify. The deadline to submit a grant request is Friday, February 18. Please submit your questions and grant requests to lowerhaight415@gmail.com.
District 5 Legacy Businesses
Are you a small business owner in D5 whose business has been in the community for 30 or more years? Reach out to the District 5 team so we can explore your options for registering as a legacy business. Our neighborhood commercial establishments – including retailers, restaurants, bars, manufacturers, service providers, and more – give the city character. Preserving our longstanding businesses is critical to maintaining that which makes San Francisco a special place. In addition, registration as a legacy business gives our small businesses access to city grants and preservation programs. Reach out to our office at PrestonStaff@sfgov.org for more information.
Landlord Subsidies:
The SF Department of Homelessness & Supportive Housing and non-profit partners invite you to a virtual information session about new subsidy opportunities for Bay Area landlords, property owners, and property managers. Come learn about the City's programs and how you can participate to gain:
- Guaranteed, on-time rent payments,
- Dedicated landlord liaison,
- Elimination of advertising costs, and
- Helping the local community
Please join them virtually via Zoom on February 10, 2022, from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. City staff will provide an overview and be available to answer any questions. RSVP/Register Here
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| Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office with any ideas, questions or concerns, at prestonstaff@sfgov.org.
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