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SFUSD Board Unanimously Backs City Ordinance Limiting School-Year No-Fault Evictions
Summary
To protect school employees and children from mid-year displacement, the SFUSD Board voted to support a proposed Board of Supervisors ordinance that would restrict certain no-fault evictions during the school year when a tenant has resided in a unit for 12 months. Commissioners debated enforcement and unintended landlord responses but ultimately approved support unanimously.
The San Francisco Unified School District Board voted unanimously on March 22 to support proposed city legislation that would limit certain no-fault evictions during the public-school year where a tenant or a person who works at a school resides in the rental unit and has done so for at least 12 months.
The resolution identifies the problem as an acute housing crisis that disrupts students and school staff: prosecutors, union leaders and school staff testified about mid-year displacement that can force teachers and other school employees to leave the city and break important relationships with students.
A representative from United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) urged the board to back the ordinance, noting that educator retention and substitute shortages are worsened by housing instability. The ordinance, as framed in the board’s supporting resolution, would prohibit owner move-ins, condo-conversion removals and other specified no-fault evictions during the school year under defined conditions.
Commissioners discussed intended effects and possible unintended consequences. Commissioner Morazzi said he was concerned landlords might discriminate against educators when screening tenants; Commissioner Mendoza McDonald and others asked about enforcement and protections against employment-based discrimination. A district representative said discrimination on the basis of employment is illegal and that tenant advocates and city enforcement channels would be involved.
President Haney said the board’s support was one step among many the city should take to address educator housing insecurity; he and other commissioners pledged continued work on housing solutions beyond this ordinance. The board’s roll-call recorded unanimous support for the district’s endorsement.
What’s next: The Board of Supervisors will take up the proposed ordinance; the SFUSD pledged to communicate its support and continue partner work on broader housing strategies for educators.
Quote: "It is the least you can do to support a piece of legislation..." said a UESF representative during public comment.
