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Board clears first reading of inclusionary housing reduction ordinance; 10-1 vote
Summary
An ordinance amending the planning code to reduce inclusionary housing requirements for smaller projects (10–24 units) passed first reading on Sept. 26 by a 10‑1 vote, with Supervisor Preston the lone dissenter. Supporters said the change would make small projects more feasible; opponents warned it could reduce affordable housing.
The Board of Supervisors on Sept. 26 passed on first reading an ordinance to amend the planning code and reduce inclusionary housing program requirements, including for projects approved under the Housing Opportunities Means Equity (HOME SF) program.
The measure was debated briefly before a roll call. Supervisor Safaie, a sponsor, told colleagues the change targets smaller projects—“10 to 24 units”—and that the intent was to make such projects more feasible for small builders and architects. “If we're truly dedicated…we need to pass this. This does make many of these projects much more feasible to build,” Safaie said.
Supervisor Preston said he would vote no, arguing he had not seen evidence that the proposals would increase production and warning the change risked reducing affordable housing and inflating land costs. Preston said, in part, that he feared the ordinance would “make it harder to create affordable housing in San Francisco.”
On roll call, the ordinance passed on first reading with 10 ayes and 1 no; Supervisor Preston voted no.
Why it matters: The change alters the city's inclusionary housing requirements for smaller development projects, potentially affecting how much affordable housing is built by smaller developers. Supporters say the amendment will unblock smaller projects; critics say it may reduce units of affordable housing built and could raise acquisition costs.
What happens next: The ordinance passed first reading and will return for subsequent readings and committee review as required by process before final adoption.
