Skip to main content
Politics & Policy

Supervisors’ preview: Housing, housing and more housing

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, wearing glasses and a suit, participates in a formal meeting while two women colleagues sit on either side of him.
Supervisor Supervisor Ahsha Safai speaks at the Board of Supervisors meeting in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. | Juliana Yamada/The Standard

Housing dominates this week’s agenda as the Board of Supervisors prepares to put vital business to bed before going on summer recess. On deck are a vote to override Mayor London Breed’s veto of a recently passed “fourplex” bill, and votes to place two more controversial housing proposals on the ballot. Meanwhile, yet another try at allowing fourplexes on single-family home lots is getting new life. 

Fourplex Redux

After languishing in development hell for months, a bill to allow four-unit buildings on single-family lots was finally passed in June. Introduced by District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, it was originally drafted to allow for the development of four-unit buildings on all lots throughout the city, and six-unit buildings on corner lots. But in committee, supervisors tacked on amendments that placed restrictions on projects. By the end, even Mandelman admitted that the bill would have limited impact. 

      Supervisor Matt Dorsey speaks at the Affordable Homes Now Rally in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco on Thursday, June 16, 2022. | Eloïse Kelsey for The Standard

            Housing Ballot Measures Set for Controversy

            Looking towards 16th Ave. in the Sunset district on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in San Francisco, Calif. | Getty Images

            Because this is the last meeting before the summer recess, the board needs to make final votes on charter amendments for the November ballot. Charter amendments approved by the board have to be submitted to the Department of Elections by end of business on Friday, July 29. Two of the remaining measures are set to push the board majority’s agenda on housing. 

              Other Business

              While housing and election matters may take up much of this week’s agenda, some other notable legislation is also set for passage.