San Francisco Committee advances affordable housing fund charter amendment for public vote

The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on significant developments in affordable housing policy and municipal transportation reforms. The meeting highlighted a proposed charter amendment aimed at establishing a dedicated affordable housing fund, which is expected to address the city's ongoing housing crisis.

Rachel Redonius, representing Supervisor Chris Daly's office, introduced the charter amendment that would create an annual set-aside of 2.5 cents per local dollar of property tax for affordable housing. This funding mechanism is designed to generate approximately $33 million annually, in addition to a baseline of $66 million that would be maintained for housing-related expenditures. The amendment specifies that at least 20% of the funds would be allocated for family housing for very low-income households, with additional provisions for seniors, disabled persons, and homeownership opportunities.

Public comments during the meeting reflected strong community support for the amendment, with numerous speakers emphasizing the urgent need for affordable housing solutions in San Francisco. Advocates argued that the proposed fund would help preserve the city's social fabric by keeping families in their homes and promoting homeownership.

However, concerns were raised by representatives from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, who cautioned against a rigid set-aside approach, advocating instead for a more flexible budgetary process that allows the Board of Supervisors to prioritize housing needs dynamically.

The committee voted to forward the amendment to the full board for further consideration, with a special meeting scheduled for July 10 to discuss the proposal in detail. This initiative represents a critical step towards addressing the housing challenges faced by many residents in San Francisco, as the city continues to grapple with affordability issues and the impacts of displacement.