Mixed Housing Ballot Measure
Issue: Defending Workers & Families
Target Level of Office: Local
Policy Origin: Office of the Mayor and San Francisco Board of Supervisors, California
Link: www.YEONetwork.org/2013policy/?i=202
YEO Sponsor:
Supervisor Jane Kim (Primary Co-Author)
Summary Narrative of the Policy: To amend the Planning Code to establish, in the approval and
construction of new housing, a balance of 70:30 between market rate housing and affordable
housing. Additionally, this measure requires a conditional use permit for new market rate housing
if the balance of affordable housing is not maintained.
Relevant Talking Points & Important Information:
• Decent and affordable housing has far-reaching consequences for people’s health,
quality of life, and access to opportunities. In fact, housing policies can mitigate extreme
income inequality in Ame rican cities because affordable housing secures a place for lowto moderate-income people in communities with recovering economies, growing tax
bases, and improved services.
• Affordable housing is national problem, but it’s even more inaccessible in high density
metropolitan areas. Since 1990, San Francisco has developed a track record of building
with 30 percent affordable housing; however, that ratio is quickly slipping away as new
market rate approvals far outstrip funding for affordable housing. This creates an opening
for displacement and gentrification as long-term residents find it difficult to afford living
in their own neighborhoods.
• This measure is intended to link market rate development to affordable housing
production by setting a goal of at least 30 percent affordable housing and establishing
stricter conditions on approvals of market rate housing. It also increases funding for
below-market-rate developments whenever the city falls below the 30 percent threshold.
Policy
2014 Book
Local Level
23