Moratorium in Mission District fails before SF Supes
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- It's full steam ahead for the building of new market-rate housing in a gentrifying San Francisco neighborhood. Supervisors voted against temporarily halting construction, despite a huge public outcry and turnout at a San Francisco City Hall meeting.
The Mission District is a neighborhood with a lot of growth, some of which residents are not happy about. They're worried they will be priced out of their own community.
It was a long night at City Hall. The marathon Board of Supervisors meeting lasted nine hours, much of that time spent on public comment.
Hundreds came to sound off on a proposal for a moratorium on the construction of high-priced apartments and condos in the Mission District.
"How can you even afford one of these new units? It's a joke. It's an insult to us," one resident said.
Longtime residents are fed up with skyrocketing rents and a record number of evictions.
"My family has lived in the Mission for 70 years and after graduation from law school, I know I will not, even as a lawyer, be able to live in the Mission," a resident said.
"Let's stop the for-profit domination and keep our neighborhood for the people and by the people," another resident said.
VIDEO: Supervisors to vote on luxury condo moratorium in San Francisco's Mission
Supervisor David Campos introduced the measure, which would halt work on at least 20 projects for 45 days.
During this time, the city would search for a solution to the housing crisis and discuss sites for affordable housing.
Opponents argue the moratorium would only be a step backwards.
"Stopping the production of housing for 45 days or for up to two years will not relieve rising rates and displacement. It will not build any affordable housing and it will not help the people it claims it will be helping. It will only make our entire city more expensive and housing more scarce," San Francisco Housing Coalition's Catherine Young said.
In the end, the board agreed.
Just before midnight members held their final vote, rejecting the plan.
It only fell short for two votes. Seven were in favor of the moratorium and four were against.
The ordinance needed nine votes to pass but supporters are not giving up. They are pushing to get this on the November ballot.
