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Friends & neighbors,
As we close out another year, I want to thank you for your support and dedication to making our district and city a better and more equitable place to live. I’m grateful that we have been able to connect with so many of you throughout the year, whether through the over 6,000 emails and phone calls we answered, at our neighborhood Town Halls and Tenant Rights Boot Camps, or by running into each other while out and about in the district.Â
The Board of Supervisors is on Legislative Recess December 18, 2023 to January 5, 2024. We’ll still be working, but may be spending more time in the district than in City Hall so you might have trouble catching us if you’re stopping by. Stay in touch with the District 5 office by emailing us at PrestonStaff@sfgov.org, calling (415) 554-7630, or replying to this email.
I wish you all a safe, happy, and prosperous new year. |
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Dean Preston,
District 5 Supervisor
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| Policy, Legislation & Community Campaigns |
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Dean Preston’s Housing Record Report
A new report published on December 12, 2023 shows Supervisor Preston’s voting record on housing, including approving nearly 30,000 homes in his four-year tenure as D5 Supervisor, 86% of which are affordable, debunking a years-long campaign by political opponents to paint him as an obstacle to housing production in San Francisco. You can read the report here: https://www.deanshousingrecord.com/Â
Saving a Neighborhood Pharmacy in the Lower Haight
On Wednesday, December 6, CVS announced plans to close their Lower Haight location on January 11. We contacted CVS’s corporate office and local officials at CVS immediately to request a meeting to discuss the planned closure and emphasized the importance of the neighborhood-serving pharmacy to the community. We are proud to share that CVS officials let us know they re-evaluated their upcoming store closure plans, and decided not to close the CVS Pharmacy at 499 Haight Street, and instead will remain open to continue to serve the community.
Hearing on Artificial Intelligence in Elections
At the last Board meeting of the session, we called for a hearing on Artificial Intelligence in elections. With the growth of artificial intelligence and the growing concerns about its role in elections, now is the time to ask whether San Francisco law adequately addresses false and misleading AI generated election material, whether the city needs to adopt new policies to address AI’s role in San Francisco elections, and whether enforcement mechanisms are sufficient to ensure that AI is not used spread misinformation regarding elections in our city. We must do everything possible to ensure the integrity, transparency, and security of our elections. This hearing will be calendared when the legislative session resumes in January.
Resolution Calling for Ceasefire in Gaza, Release of Hostages, and Condemning Anti-Semitic, Anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic Rhetoric and Attacks
Our office introduced a resolution calling for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid, release of hostages, and condemning anti-Semitic, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks. On December 5, over a thousand people showed up in support of the ceasefire resolution, with hundreds speaking out during public comment. The language in this resolution seeks to underscore our shared humanity and bring people together in defense of human life.
Banning Dangerous Landlords from Buying Properties in San Francisco
Our office announced legislation to prohibit dangerous landlords from owning or operating rental property in San Francisco. A property in District 5 recently went up for sale, an 18-unit building with a ground floor retail space at 800 Divisadero. It was a perfect candidate for the City’s preservation program, and our office encouraged the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development to acquire the building to create permanently affordable housing. Unfortunately, despite our urging, the deadline for the city to act came and went. To make matters worse, we learned that a private buyer had emerged, someone who, in 2011, was convicted of soliciting arson on a residential hotel in Oakland. It is unconscionable that the Administration failed to step in to protect the residents of 800 Divisadero. As such, Supervisor Preston is requesting that the City Attorney initiate the drafting process to ensure that this kind of dangerous actor is never able to endanger tenants within the City and County of San Francisco.
Celebrating 15 Years of  TLCBD’s Safe Passage Program
We were proud to recognize and celebrate Safe Passage on its 15-year anniversary. These resident and parent volunteers and staff can be seen in their teal and orange Tenderloin Community Benefit District vests helping children and seniors cross streets in the Tenderloin or greeting people at community events. This remarkable, community-led program was started in 2008, when a group of parents and community leaders met to discuss public safety issues in the neighborhood. It was clear that the Tenderloin’s children needed help safely navigating their way to and from school, and to after school activities. The Tenderloin is home to nearly 4,000 children -- the most children per capita in the city. It’s a diverse, working-class neighborhood, with lots of working families. The program was started to walk with kids as they traversed the Tenderloin’s busy streets. By 2016, the program had been brought under the oversight of the Tenderloin Community Benefit District, which has provided financial support as well as the infrastructure for it to continue to grow. The program now covers 15 city blocks every morning and afternoon and serves more than 200 kids daily.Â
We want to honor and thank each and every one of Safe Passage’s team, and all the current and past volunteers and donors, for making this important program what it is and for everything they do for the Tenderloin community.
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- In July, our office called for a public hearing on car break-ins because we were frustrated by the prevalence of these auto burglaries and the lack of a plan by the City to significantly reduce them. We wanted to bring departments and stakeholders together to look at the data and have an honest discussion on what’s been working and what hasn’t been to get this problem under control. New strategies were developed and deployed in the following months, and at the beginning of December, City officials reported a 50% decrease in car break-ins compared to last year .
- The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the SFMTA has been awarded an $8 million federal grant from the Safe Streets 4 All program for the Tenderloin Community Safe Streets Project. These funds will help address pedestrian safety issues in the Tenderloin, where pedestrians are 10 times more likely to be injured or killed by a car than elsewhere in the city. Back in July, Supervisor Preston’s office submitted a letter to Secretary Buttigieg in collaboration with 18 organizations in the Tenderloin to express our strong support for the SFMTA’s Tenderloin Community Safe Streets Project, and we are thrilled that the application was successful and will bring these crucial resources to our district.Â
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Hayes Valley Art Works - Holiday Art Show
December 1, 2023 - January 14, 2024
295 Oak Street @ Octavia Street
UR Blessings: Hayes Valley Toy Giveaway
Friday, December 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
403 Rose Street
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The Village Project’s 17th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
December 26 to January 1, 2024
Come out and celebrate Nguzo Saba: The Seven Principles, in a week-long event of uniting to heal our families, communities and country. Most days have a morning and an evening celebration.Â
- Umoja (unity) kicks off day one at City Hall (1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place) at 12pm, then at 111 Minna Nightclub from 7pm.Â
- Kujichagulia (self-determination) will be held at Rafiki Wellness/Bayview Y (601 Cesar Chavez) at 2pm and Jones Methodist Church (1975 Post) at 7pm.Â
- Ujima (collective work and responsibility) will be held at The Origin Boutique Nightclub (1538 Fillmore) at 2pm and Bayview Opera House (4705 3rd St) at 7pp.Â
- Ujamaa (cooperative economics) will be held at St. Andrews Church (2565 Post) at 2pm and Minnie and Lovie Rec Center (650 Capitol Ave) at 6pm.
- Nia (purpose) will be held at SF Public Library at 2pm and at AAACC (762 Fulton), hosted by Mo'MAGIC, at 6pm.
- Kuumba (creativity) will be held at Third Baptist at 2pm and 111 Minna Nightclub at 7pm.Â
- Imani (faith) to be held at St. Cyprian's Church (2097 Turk Blvd. at 7pm.
RSVP here!
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COVID-19 and Mpox Resources
Like everyone else, we are continuing to monitor the situation regarding COVID-19 and Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). Want to find resources? Click here to read about the latest on the City’s COVID-19 updates and resources, and here to read about the latest regarding Mpox . Please note: the City’s COVID-19 health officer emergency order has expired.
Need help with a mental health or substance use problem?
To get started with care, call or visit the San Francisco Department of Public Health Behavioral Health Access (BHAC):
1380 Howard Street
M-F 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
888-246-3333
Small Business Vandalism Relief Fund
This grant provides up to $2,000 for vandalism-related costs. Examples of damages include broken windows, broken doors, broken locks, etching on windows, graffiti, and more. Apply here: https://sf.gov/get-grant-vandalism-related-costs-your-small-business-storefront.Â
For businesses in District 5, we have our own victim assistance program for small businesses impacted by broken windows. Eligible businesses can be reimbursed up to $1,000 of the cost of replacing a storefront window with a maximum of two reimbursements per year. Once you get your citywide funding, if you need the additional $1,000, please reach out to us and we'll elevate it internally.
Food resources: https://www.sfhsa.org/services/food/free-food-locations
2024 Covered California Renewal Period
The 2024 Open Enrollment period for Covered CA will begin November 1st and run through January 31st. Enrollment is Open to those over the age of 18 and legally residing in California. This is also a period when those currently on a Covered CA plan can change their ‘metal tier’ and/or insurance carrier. Those enrolling between Nov 1 – Dec 31 will have plans beginning on January 1st, 2024. Enrollments in January 2024 will begin on February 1st, 2024.
- Check Covered CA online at: www.coveredca.com
- If you have already worked with a licensed Covered CA insurance agent or Enrollment Counselor, continue to work with that person if you are comfortable. If you do not have a direct contact, Susan Pfeifer is a Certified Enrollment Counselor who serves San Francisco and the Bay Area. She is available by phone at 415-860-8081 or Email at: mediasusan2@gmail.com. There is no fee or obligation for her services.
Seasons’ Greetings from the Department of Elections!
With the holiday season well underway, you may be planning some parties, gifts, and family visits. But did you know this is also the best time to plan for the primary election? Our next Election Day - March 5, 2024 - is just around the corner. There are several reasons you may want to register or re-register now: Â
- First time voting in San Francisco Â
- Recently moved in San FranciscoÂ
- Have changed your first or last nameÂ
- Want to change your political party preference
You can register to vote or update the information in your voter file by visiting registertovote.ca.gov or by returning a paper registration form.Â
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Need a form? Have questions? Contact the multilingual staff at the Department of Elections. Call (415) 554-4375, email sfvote@sfgov.org, or visit City Hall, Room 48.Â
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Thank you, in advance, for being a San Francisco voter in 2024!Â
For a list of District 5 resources, including Adult and Family Services, Neighborhood Associations, Parks, Schools, and much more, please visit: https://sfbos.org/supervisor-preston-district-information-and-resources
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Fellowship & Internship Opportunities
Are you interested in learning about city government while fighting to win real, transformative reforms for the working class? Volunteer with the District 5 office! If you’re in college, some credits may apply, depending on your school’s program. Send your resume to PrestonStaff@sfgov.org, and we’ll take it from there.Â
Learn More About DSA SF
The Democratic Socialists of America is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 92,000 members and chapters in all 50 states. DSA believes that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. Check out the San Francisco chapter’s upcoming events here to see how you can help make San Francisco a more equitable city using people power.
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Email prestonstaff@sfgov.org for more information, questions, or suggestions for our next newsletter!
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