Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Rights topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission endorses principle: tenants displaced by public‑housing revitalization should have right to return
Summary
The Planning Commission voiced unanimous support for the concept of a local ordinance guaranteeing displaced public‑housing residents a right to return to revitalized developments; staff and advocates said amendments are being worked out and the measure will be introduced to the Board of Supervisors with further detail.
The Planning Commission on Thursday endorsed the policy principle that residents displaced by public‑housing revitalization should have an express right to return to their redeveloped site.
Department staff described ordinance language developed with Supervisor Christina Olague’s office that would amend the San Francisco Administrative Code to establish a local Right to Revitalized Housing. The proposed ordinance would apply to projects that trigger the federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (URA) — typically projects using federal funds — and would: establish a right to return; create a relocation framework; and use the Rent Board as the appeals body for relocation disputes (staff and the sponsor removed an earlier proposal for a new separate Relocation Appeals Board in favor of Rent Board appeals).
Tenant advocates and public‑housing residents urged the commission to back the measure. Speakers described ties to their communities, the difficulty many displaced families face finding housing in San Francisco, and the shortcomings of some earlier federal HOPE VI projects where residents were dispersed and did not return. Several speakers urged clear screening rules so returning residents are not disadvantaged by new credit or deposit requirements.
Housing‑authority and mayor’s office representatives said the city’s HOPE SF work aims at one‑for‑one replacement and better on‑site approaches to minimize off‑site relocations. Planning staff and the housing authority said earlier drafts had been revised to better align definitions with federal law and to narrow the ordinance’s scope to projects that trigger the URA; staff circulated amendment language and planned to introduce finalized amendments to the Board’s Land Use Committee on Oct. 1.
The commission voted to record support for the policy concept and asked staff to prepare a memo or resolution reflecting that support; commissioners said they wanted to review the finalized ordinance language when it is available. No code amendment was adopted at this meeting; the Board of Supervisors will consider the ordinance once the sponsor introduces the final text.
