Tenants and community members urge DBI to protect code‐enforcement funding; critic raises inspection lapses

Public commenters at the San Francisco Building Inspection Commission meeting on May 21 pressed the Department of Building Inspection to preserve funding for tenant outreach and code‑enforcement services and described habitability problems in their buildings.

Speakers from the Southeast Tenant Association and the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco told the commission that cuts to the Code Enforcement Outreach Program (CEOP) would leave tenants without assistance for reporting habitability issues such as mold, leaks, pests and broken heating. Anai, identified at the meeting as a tenant organizer with the Southeast Tenant Association, said the groups are asking DBI to “fully fund tenant protections and support safe, stable housing with livable conditions.” Maria Jandres, a Southeast Tenant Association member, said families, children, seniors and people with disabilities are waiting “weeks, months, and even years for basic repairs” and urged commissioners to “strengthen, not weaken” CEOP funding.

Several speakers asked that DBI directly fund code‑enforcement outreach work rather than relying on limited general‑fund grants. Melissa Morales, who spoke through a translator, said association members regularly receive tenant calls seeking guidance on habitability complaints and warned that reduced funding would eliminate critical tenant support.

In separate public comment, long‑time commenter Jerry Drattler alleged lapses in DBI inspections on high‑value projects and cited a Golden Gate Park garage permit he said lacked required foundation and structural‑steel inspections. Drattler also raised concerns about a small number of projects and personnel connections he described as problematic. He urged DBI to random‑sample past permits and present an initial compliance review to the commission within 90 days.

DBI staff provided procedural context during Commission questions. A DBI staff member told the commission the department had been instructed to submit a 15% reduction to its community‑based organization (CBO) grants in its February budget request; the mayor’s office will review department submissions and publish a mayor’s proposed budget in early June before the Board of Supervisors finalizes the city budget. Commissioner Michelle Chavez and DBI staff discussed that the CEOP had been funded from the general fund in recent years after previously being supported from DBI revenue, which affected which program lines were subject to requested reductions.

The commission did not take formal action on funding at the May 21 meeting. Commissioners and staff said they would follow the budget process, and staff offered to provide additional briefings and, if needed, work with the City Attorney’s office to clarify options available to the commission and DBI.

Evidence cited at the meeting included multiple tenant testimonials describing unresolved habitability complaints and one commenter’s request for a DBI compliance review.

Next steps: Commissioners asked staff to continue budget discussions and to update the commission during upcoming meetings; the mayor’s proposed budget is expected in early June and the Board of Supervisors will act later in the summer.