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Mayor Ed Lee outlines small-business initiatives and housing trust plan as redevelopment dissolution looms
Summary
Mayor Ed Lee told the Board of Supervisors he will pursue neighborhood investments, a jobs outreach program and a new local housing trust fund as the state issolution of redevelopment agencies takes effect and the city assumes successor responsibilities.
Mayor Ed Lee told the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Friday that his administration will push a set of neighborhood- and job-focused programs while preparing to assume assets and responsibilities from the imminent dissolution of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.
The mayor said he will propose an 'Invest in Neighborhoods' initiative and a 'Jobs Squad' of city staff who will work directly in commercial districts to help small businesses navigate permits and regulations. 'Small businesses, including theaters like the Balboa, are the backbone of our economy,' Lee said.
He described immediate plans for housing following the California Supreme Court decision dissolving redevelopment agencies. 'By February 1 the city must affirmatively opt in to accept the transfer of the agency's affordable housing assets and responsibilities, which we do intend to do,' Lee said. His administration will seek to preserve low- and moderate-income housing funds and pursue creation of a locally controlled housing trust fund as a permanent replacement revenue source.
The state ruling eliminates a major tool for financing affordable housing, workforce development and neighborhood revitalization. San Francisco faces a narrow window to accept redevelopment assets and establish successor oversight and funding mechanisms. Lee said the city intends to continue approved projects and prioritize those leveraging state and federal matching dollars, including Mission Bay, the Hunters Point Shipyard, Candlestick Point and Transbay.
He told the board he will submit nominations for the required oversight board—John Rah, Olsen Lee, Nadia Sasse and Bob Muscat—and introduce a resolution to facilitate a smooth transfer of functions.
On small-business support, Lee said the city will recapitalize financing tools such as the SF Shines facade grant program and the small-business revolving loan fund. 'In the coming weeks, I will propose an expansion of these financing tools to increase our capacity to launch and strengthen small businesses in neighborhoods around the city,' he said.
Supervisor Mar cited the Balboa Theatre in the Richmond District as an example of a neighborhood business that could benefit; Lee confirmed it had received an SF Shines grant and said staff would announce new program details soon. Supervisor Campos pressed the mayor to continue engaging community-based organizations in the budget process; Lee said departments had been directed to adopt such strategies.
Lee did not specify a funding level for the housing trust fund or provide a timeline for the successor agency's work, beyond noting that nominations and a resolution would be forthcoming.
