The San Francisco City Commission convened on July 4, 2025, to discuss significant housing proposals aimed at addressing the city's ongoing housing crisis. The meeting featured a series of presentations advocating for increased density in residential areas, particularly the construction of six-story apartment buildings in low-density neighborhoods.

Jake Price, representing the Housing Action Coalition, opened the discussion by showcasing examples of existing six-story buildings in various neighborhoods, including Pacific Heights and the Richmond District. He emphasized that such developments are not new to San Francisco and urged the commission to consider reducing setback requirements in residential zoning to facilitate the construction of more family-friendly housing. Price called for a return to a time when building such apartment complexes was commonplace, highlighting the need for housing options for families, seniors, and young professionals.

Following Price, Jane Natoli, the San Francisco organizing director for EMB Action, echoed his sentiments. She stressed the importance of innovative housing solutions as the city aims to build 82,000 new units over the next eight years. Natoli pointed out that similar apartment buildings already exist in neighborhoods like the Richmond and Sunset, suggesting that the proposed changes would merely enable a return to historical practices of urban development.

Georgia Shutish raised concerns regarding the broader implications of housing policies, referencing an article from the Wall Street Journal that questioned the actual housing needs in the U.S. She highlighted the potential risks faced by low-income homeowners and communities of color, suggesting that these issues require more attention in the ongoing discussions about housing development.

The meeting concluded with a call for further consideration of the planning department's recommendations and a push to move the proposals to the land use committee for further evaluation. The discussions underscored a collective urgency among community leaders and advocates to address the housing shortage while ensuring that vulnerable populations are protected in the process.