REP-SF Planning to the People Newsletter: Oct. 2024
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We're happy to share our REP-SF Planning to the People newsletter for October! Our monthly newsletter provides the latest news and ways to take action on behalf of grassroots communities for housing justice and equitable city planning – all in one place! We had a lot going on this month, so make sure to expand to view the full newsletter at the bottom!
This month, we're excited to share our new blog post focused on the campaign to stop SFUSD's proposed closures of public schools across the city, led by REP-SF member Coleman Advocates and the Small Schools Coalition.
In solidarity,
The REP-SF Team
Race & Equity in all Planning Coalition
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The Grassroots Fight to Save San Francisco Public Schools – Oct. 3, 2024
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Students, parents, educators, and advocates are demanding that the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) stop the proposed closures of public schools across the city. REP-SF member Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth, the Small Schools Coalition, and the REP-SF coalition, are advocating to protect small schools that predominantly serve students of color, demanding deeper investments to improve schools and increase enrollment, rather than closing or merging schools.
Read our latest blog post to learn more about our community demands, the recent rallies at the SFUSD headquarters, and how students, parents, and families are being impacted by the School District's proposed school closures.
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Students, Parents & Educators Organizing to Demand SFUSD Stop Proposed School Closures – Sept. 18 & Sept. 24, 2024
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Great Coverage of the Fight to Stop SFUSD School Closures
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The Market Alone Can’t Fix the U.S. Housing Crisis – Harvard Business Review, Sept. 12, 2024
Finally academics are catching up with reality! Brian Callaci and Sandeep Vaheesan of Open Markets Institute argue that YIMBYism will not solve the housing crisis and that upzoning alone contributes to displacement. "One underappreciated cause of runaway housing costs is the market power of developers and landlords — and more recently, software that allows them to leverage this power in unfair ways." They describe how social housing done right "can rein in the pricing power of private landlords and pressure them to raise standards of habitability for poor, working, and middle-class families."
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REP-SF Members: Heroes for Housing Justice
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Press Conference: Response to the City's Crackdown on Unhoused San Franciscans – Sept. 5, 2024
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The Coalition on Homelessness and community advocates, including REP-SF and Small Business Forward, held a press conference condemning the City's inhumane sweeps of unhoused San Franciscans and the ongoing destruction of their records and essential property, ahead of the recent Homelessness Oversight Commission meeting. Read our Instagram post to learn more!
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Justice for Renters Act Rally – Sept. 10, 2024
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Thank you to REP-SF members Housing Rights Committee and South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) for speaking on the importance of expanding rent control in San Francisco! The Justice for Renters Act would introduce more fair and just rent control to keep families in their homes across the state.
Thank you Supervisors Aaron Peskin, Dean Preston, Hillary Ronen, and Shamann Walton for supporting renters in our city. Together we can defeat the restrictions under the state-level Costa Hawkins laws and expand rent control so that more tenants can stay in their homes! All renters deserve to live without fear of excessive rent increases.
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Press Conference: Legacy Business Protection Legislation – Sept. 17, 2024
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Thank you to Supervisors Peskin and Chan for introducing legislation to protect legacy businesses citywide from displacement caused by SF Planning's proposed upzonings. REP-SF helped draft this legislation in coordination with member coalition Small Business Forward. SBF member Christin Evans spoke with city leaders and other small business owners about the need to protect small businesses in our communities from speculative real estate interests.
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SF Peoples Budget Coalition: Unlock the Funds Rally & Hearing – Sept. 25, 2024
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Hundreds rallied to demand Mayor London Breed unlock the funds for vital services like eviction prevention, workforce development, emergency housing vouchers, and rental assistance. These approved funds are essential to address health and housing issues in our city. Our communities cannot wait another day!
Thank you to our REP-SF members and SF People's Budget Coalition members who made their voices heard! Join us: Send a letter to Mayor Breed to demand that she release the funds NOW!
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Land Use Committee: Legislation to Expand Rent Control If Costa Hawkins Is Repealed – Sept. 30, 2024
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For decades, Costa Hawkins has blocked rent control efforts throughout California. With its repeal on this November’s ballot (YES on Prop 33), we have an opportunity to expand rent control—with new proposed legislation for San Francisco sponsored by Supervisors Peskin, Preston, Chan, Ronen, and Walton.
This legislation was heard at the Land Use Committee on Sept. 30. REP-SF members from SOMCAN, Small Business Forward, Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council (HANC), and the Affordable Housing Alliance, along with our allies at Council of Community Housing Organizations (CCHO) and SF Anti-Displacement Coalition (SFADC) spoke during public comment in support. Our communities deserves stable, affordable housing. Thank you to our members for making their voices heard!
Thank you to Supervisors Peskin and Preston, who voted in support of expanding rent control in San Francisco! This legislation will move to the full Board of Supervisors for a vote next week on Oct. 7.
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities
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Ang Lipi ni Lapu Lapu Mural Unveiling at SOMA Sunday Streets: Oct. 13, 2024
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REP-SF member SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District will unveil the restoration of the first mural depicting the history of Filipino immigration to the Americas, named "Ang Lipi ni Lapu Lapu," which translates to "The Descendents of Lapu Lapu."
Join us Sunday, October 13, 2024 from 12-5 pm at Lapu Lapu and Bonifacio Street ( across from Alice Street Community Gardens). Mural dedication and program will begin at 2 pm. SOMA Sunday Streets is FREE. RSVP with this link!
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Small Business Protections Town Hall: Oct. 13, 2024
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Sunday, October 13th, 5–6 pm at Asiento, 2730 21st St: Join REP-SF member Small Business Forward to explore the options of the San Francisco small business community as we face rising costs and zoning changes that could lead to our displacement.
Come ready to ask questions and/or share your ideas and pinch points. There will be city leaders, other small business folks, and people interested in the issue there. Please RSVP!
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Join SF SafeHouse to Celebrate 25 Years of Progress & Possibilities: Oct. 17, 2024
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Apply NOW to Urban Habitat’s Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute: Due Nov. 17, 2024
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Urban Habitat’s Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) trains and supports leaders from low-income communities of color to influence housing, transportation, and land use policies as decision makers. Learn more and apply today to join the 16th BCLI cohort! Applications are due by Sunday, November 17, 11:59 pm.
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DIY Airfilter Workshop: Oct. 25, 2024
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REP-SF member SOMCAN and Safer Together will be holding a workshop for you to get a FREE DIY air filter. These air filters consist of just a box fan and a MERV-13 filter, but they work just as effective as the $500+ filters you find online. The workshop will be held on Friday, October 25. If you'd like to request a FREE air filter for your home, you can contact Zachary Frial at zfrial@somcan.org or call 510-603-5350, or you can scan the QR code in the flyer.
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Act Now! Demand SF Put Affordability & Equity First!
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Thank you so much to everyone who has signed and shared REP-SF's petition calling on San Francisco to put equity and affordability FIRST! Let's keep up the pressure to move forward real solutions for housing affordability, tenant protections, and community planning. Help us spread the word to keep up the momentum!
Sign Petition: bit.ly/REPSF-Equity-Petition; Share Petition: bit.ly/REPpetitionToolkit
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