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Planning Department reports record net housing gains in 2007; questions raised about affordability measures
Summary
Planning Department staff presented the 2007 Housing Inventory: net increase of 2,567 housing units (up 34% from 2006), record condominium production and conversions, and 735 new affordable units. Commissioners and public asked for clearer definitions of 'affordable' and requested follow-up data on TICs, subsidized vs. market-rate stock, and rental housing protections.
Staff presented the 2007 Housing Inventory, the 38th edition of the city’s annual housing report. The report shows 2,679 new housing units in 2007 (2,197 from new construction and 482 from additions/conversions), yielding a net addition of 2,567 units — a 34% increase over 2006. DBI authorized construction of 3,281 units in 2007. The department recorded a notable increase in condominiums (3,395 units) and condominium conversions (784), and reported 735 new affordable units in 2007 (about 33% of new units), including 169 from inclusionary housing programs.
Commissioners and public speakers questioned definitions used in the report, particularly how 'unit' is defined (staff and the director confirmed kitchens are the primary marker used to count units) and what 'affordable' covers. The commission asked staff to coordinate with the Office of Housing to produce follow-up information: a breakdown of subsidized versus market-rate units, how many rent-controlled units remain in the stock, and whether the city can track TIC transactions (staff said no central tracker exists but they are exploring secondary measures).
Commissioners also noted the regional context — San Francisco produced housing at high rates compared with other Bay Area counties — and flagged concerns about condominium conversions’ effect on rental supply. Staff suggested the inventory’s purpose is to raise questions for policy responses and recommended follow-up briefs from the Office of Housing on trends and rent-controlled unit counts.
