Maryann Jones Thompson

San Francisco is the nation’s <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/San-Francisco-metro-area-retains-No-1-spot-as-16701789.php">most expensive U.S. city</a> to live in, so it follows that jobs pay more here—and city officials are no exception.&nbsp;

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<p>San Francisco is the nation’s <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/San-Francisco-metro-area-retains-No-1-spot-as-16701789.php">most expensive U.S. city</a> to live in, so it follows that jobs pay more here—and city officials are no exception.&nbsp;</p>

The latest <a href="https://transparentcalifornia.com/">Transparent California</a> data show Mayor London Breed earned a base salary of $351,000 in 2020 making her the highest-paid mayor in America. By comparison, Los Angeles’ Mayor Eric Garcetti earned $277,000 and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio earned $259,000.

<p>The latest <a href="https://transparentcalifornia.com/">Transparent California</a> data show Mayor London Breed earned a base salary of $351,000 in 2020 making her the highest-paid mayor in America. By comparison, Los Angeles’ Mayor Eric Garcetti earned $277,000 and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio earned $259,000.</p>

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Mayor Breed&#8217;s base salary is also more than twice that of the mayor of San Jose and three times that of San Diego&#8217;s mayor.

<p>Mayor Breed's base salary is also more than twice that of the mayor of San Jose and three times that of San Diego's mayor.</p>

<p>Mayor Breed&#8217;s base salary is also more than twice that of the mayor of San Jose and three times that of San Diego&#8217;s mayor.</p>

Adding in benefits, Mayor Breed’s total compensation reached $435,000, more than Governor Gavin Newsom, who only earned $278,561 in 2020.

<p>Adding in benefits, Mayor Breed’s total compensation reached $435,000, more than Governor Gavin Newsom, who only earned $278,561 in 2020.</p>

A look at the compensation awarded to other San Francisco city officials shows the Board of Supervisors members receive similar total compensation annually, approximately $179,000.

<p>A look at the compensation awarded to other San Francisco city officials shows the Board of Supervisors members receive similar total compensation annually, approximately $179,000.</p>

And though District Attorney Chesa Boudin and Police Chief William Scott III may <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/war-sf-police-da-chesa-boudin-shootings-investigation/">have their differences</a>, they likely both agree that SF is a generous employer, with total compensation of $366,000 and $428,000, respectively.

<p>And though District Attorney Chesa Boudin and Police Chief William Scott III may <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/war-sf-police-da-chesa-boudin-shootings-investigation/">have their differences</a>, they likely both agree that SF is a generous employer, with total compensation of $366,000 and $428,000, respectively.</p>

And despite Mayor Breed’s compensatory superiority when compared to her mayoral peers, she ranks only 39th on the list of the most highly compensated employees in the city she governs.

<p>And despite Mayor Breed’s compensatory superiority when compared to her mayoral peers, she ranks only 39th on the list of the most highly compensated employees in the city she governs.</p>

The best-compensated city workers are those tasked with managing the <a href="https://mysfers.org/about-sfers/investments/">$34.5 billion of assets</a> in the the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System. Its Chief Investment Officer, William J. Coaker Jr., earned $735,000 in 2020, making him SF’s highest-paid city official.

<p>The best-compensated city workers are those tasked with managing the <a href="https://mysfers.org/about-sfers/investments/">$34.5 billion of assets</a> in the the San Francisco Employees’ Retirement System. Its Chief Investment Officer, William J. Coaker Jr., earned $735,000 in 2020, making him SF’s highest-paid city official.</p>

Other top-paid city workers include medical professionals and supervising positions in the city’s homeless care ranks. And some employees of the sheriff’s department make more money than the mayor, because of <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/SF-sheriff-s-deputies-top-earners-in-overtime-15470686.php">high overtime pay</a>.

<p>Other top-paid city workers include medical professionals and supervising positions in the city’s homeless care ranks. And some employees of the sheriff’s department make more money than the mayor, because of <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/SF-sheriff-s-deputies-top-earners-in-overtime-15470686.php">high overtime pay</a>.</p>

The Standard Top 10: Who is SF’s highest-paid city official?

Leo Cooperband

Garrett Leahy

San Francisco isn’t building enough housing, and the state housing department is taking the city to task.&nbsp;

<p>San Francisco isn’t building enough housing, and the state housing department is taking the city to task.&nbsp;</p>

California’s Department of Housing and Community Development said on Tuesday that it will review San Francisco’s housing policies, the latest in a stepped-up effort to hold the city accountable to state housing targets.&nbsp;

<p>California’s Department of Housing and Community Development said on Tuesday that it will review San Francisco’s housing policies, the latest in a stepped-up effort to hold the city accountable to state housing targets.&nbsp;</p>

The review will be led by the Housing Accountability Unit, an enforcement branch of the housing department created last year. Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), wrote in a statement that the department is “deeply concerned about processes and political decision-making in San Francisco that delay and impede the creation of housing.”&nbsp;

<p>The review will be led by the Housing Accountability Unit, an enforcement branch of the housing department created last year. Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), wrote in a statement that the department is “deeply concerned about processes and political decision-making in San Francisco that delay and impede the creation of housing.”&nbsp;</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HCD will conduct a first-ever Housing Policy and Practice Review of San Francisco, aimed at identifying and removing barriers to approval and construction of new housing there.<br><br>What this means in the 🧵 👇🏾 1/<a href="https://t.co/dPV05lIaBi">https://t.co/dPV05lIaBi</a></p>&mdash; California HCD (@California_HCD) <a href="https://twitter.com/California_HCD/status/1557063305490886656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The review, which HCD is calling a “Housing Policy and Practice Review,” aims to identify and clear obstacles to new housing construction, including “discretionary decision-making patterns&#8221; that lead to delays. Velasquez added that the department is working with Attorney General Rob Bonta to pursue any violations they find.

<p>The review, which HCD is calling a “Housing Policy and Practice Review,” aims to identify and clear obstacles to new housing construction, including “discretionary decision-making patterns" that lead to delays. Velasquez added that the department is working with Attorney General Rob Bonta to pursue any violations they find.</p>

<p>The review, which HCD is calling a “Housing Policy and Practice Review,” aims to identify and clear obstacles to new housing construction, including “discretionary decision-making patterns&#8221; that lead to delays. Velasquez added that the department is working with Attorney General Rob Bonta to pursue any violations they find.</p>

The announcement comes one day after the state housing department issued a <a href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/housing-element/docs/sfrsanfranciscodraftout080822.pdf">letter</a> criticizing the San Francisco Planning Department’s current effort to make room for new housing. Under a state mandate called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, the planning department must submit a compliant plan to build 82,000 new housing units between 2023 and 2031 by January 2023 and recently filed a draft with the state. 

<p>The announcement comes one day after the state housing department issued a <a href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/housing-element/docs/sfrsanfranciscodraftout080822.pdf">letter</a> criticizing the San Francisco Planning Department’s current effort to make room for new housing. Under a state mandate called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, the planning department must submit a compliant plan to build 82,000 new housing units between 2023 and 2031 by January 2023 and recently filed a draft with the state. </p>

In a letter to Rich Hillis, Director of the Planning Department, HCD program manager Paul McDougall wrote that some of the timing projections included in the draft didn’t match the eight-year cycle, among other findings. If the city falls out of compliance with the state target, it would jeopardize access to state, federal, and regional programs and grants that fund rezoning and affordable housing construction.

<p>In a letter to Rich Hillis, Director of the Planning Department, HCD program manager Paul McDougall wrote that some of the timing projections included in the draft didn’t match the eight-year cycle, among other findings. If the city falls out of compliance with the state target, it would jeopardize access to state, federal, and regional programs and grants that fund rezoning and affordable housing construction.</p>

San Francisco has <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/san-francisco-faces-reckoning-on-stalled-housing-production/article_37c53b5e-f639-11ec-afdf-b3802f560f64.html">struggled</a> to keep up with state housing targets, and trails behind other large metropolitan areas, including <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/housing-tech-hub-building-17339487.php">Austin and Seattle</a>, in new construction.&nbsp;

<p>San Francisco has <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/san-francisco-faces-reckoning-on-stalled-housing-production/article_37c53b5e-f639-11ec-afdf-b3802f560f64.html">struggled</a> to keep up with state housing targets, and trails behind other large metropolitan areas, including <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/housing-tech-hub-building-17339487.php">Austin and Seattle</a>, in new construction.&nbsp;</p>

Bonta said in a statement that the crackdown is meant to address high costs of housing, echoing arguments by pro-housing groups that increasing housing at all affordability levels will reduce housing costs by making units less scarce.

<p>Bonta said in a statement that the crackdown is meant to address high costs of housing, echoing arguments by pro-housing groups that increasing housing at all affordability levels will reduce housing costs by making units less scarce.</p>

“In California, we are facing a housing crisis of epic proportions, and it&#8217;s going to take all of us, working together, to solve it,” Bonta said. “We will continue to work with HCD to enforce our housing laws to alleviate this ongoing crisis.”

<p>“In California, we are facing a housing crisis of epic proportions, and it's going to take all of us, working together, to solve it,” Bonta said. “We will continue to work with HCD to enforce our housing laws to alleviate this ongoing crisis.”</p>

<p>“In California, we are facing a housing crisis of epic proportions, and it&#8217;s going to take all of us, working together, to solve it,” Bonta said. “We will continue to work with HCD to enforce our housing laws to alleviate this ongoing crisis.”</p>

Top local officials, including Mayor London Breed and state Sen. Scott Wiener, applauded the state housing department’s scrutiny of the city’s housing policies.&nbsp;

<p>Top local officials, including Mayor London Breed and state Sen. Scott Wiener, applauded the state housing department’s scrutiny of the city’s housing policies.&nbsp;</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I welcome this review and look forward to cooperating with the state to implement solutions needed to get rid of barriers and bureaucracy that stand in the way of building new housing. For years, San Francisco has made it too hard to approve and build new homes. That must change. <a href="https://t.co/RFO498xuOy">https://t.co/RFO498xuOy</a></p>&mdash; London Breed (@LondonBreed) <a href="https://twitter.com/LondonBreed/status/1557071900789989376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Last month, Breed vetoed a much-debated fourplex bill passed at the Board of Supervisors on the grounds that it would hurt, not help, new housing construction. That prompted Wiener, a longtime critic of San Francisco’s housing policies, to call on the state <a href="https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/rotten-to-the-core-san-francisco-could-get-sued-over-housing-gridlock-says-legislator/">to sue San Francisco</a> to enforce state housing law.&nbsp;

<p>Last month, Breed vetoed a much-debated fourplex bill passed at the Board of Supervisors on the grounds that it would hurt, not help, new housing construction. That prompted Wiener, a longtime critic of San Francisco’s housing policies, to call on the state <a href="https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/rotten-to-the-core-san-francisco-could-get-sued-over-housing-gridlock-says-legislator/">to sue San Francisco</a> to enforce state housing law.&nbsp;</p>

Meanwhile, Breed is backing a November ballot measure that seeks to streamline new housing that meets certain affordability minimums. A <a href="https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/hed-controversial-housing-amendment-heads-to-ballot-lawsuit-likely/">rival ballot measure</a>, co-sponsored by Supervisors Connie Chan and Aaron Peskin, competes directly with that measure and has earned scorn by pro-housing groups.&nbsp;

<p>Meanwhile, Breed is backing a November ballot measure that seeks to streamline new housing that meets certain affordability minimums. A <a href="https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/hed-controversial-housing-amendment-heads-to-ballot-lawsuit-likely/">rival ballot measure</a>, co-sponsored by Supervisors Connie Chan and Aaron Peskin, competes directly with that measure and has earned scorn by pro-housing groups.&nbsp;</p>

<em>Annie Gaus contributed to this report. </em>

<p><em>Annie Gaus contributed to this report. </em></p>

State cracks down on SF housing gridlock, launching ‘first-ever’ review aimed at speeding up construction

Christina Campodonico

Prospective San Francisco jurors may soon have one less reason to toss out their summons.&nbsp;

<p>Prospective San Francisco jurors may soon have one less reason to toss out their summons.&nbsp;</p>

Starting Monday, the City and County of San Francisco will launch a new pilot program, called “Be The Jury,” which will pay $100 per day to jurors who qualify.&nbsp;

<p>Starting Monday, the City and County of San Francisco will launch a new pilot program, called “Be The Jury,” which will pay $100 per day to jurors who qualify.&nbsp;</p>

The city hopes to help low-to-moderate income San Franciscans serve on juries explains Amanda Fried, chief of policy and communications for San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros, who co-sponsored Assembly Bill 1452, which authorized the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<p>The city hopes to help low-to-moderate income San Franciscans serve on juries explains Amanda Fried, chief of policy and communications for San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros, who co-sponsored Assembly Bill 1452, which authorized the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

The bill was co-authored by San Francisco Assemblymember Phil Ting and State Sen. Scott Wiener. It was signed into law in October 2021, and the pilot program is funded through philanthropic dollars raised by San Francisco Treasurer’s Financial Justice Project.&nbsp;

<p>The bill was co-authored by San Francisco Assemblymember Phil Ting and State Sen. Scott Wiener. It was signed into law in October 2021, and the pilot program is funded through philanthropic dollars raised by San Francisco Treasurer’s Financial Justice Project.&nbsp;</p>

Fried explains that gig workers such as Uber drivers or people with childcare or eldercare responsibilities often feel like they can’t afford to take a day off working or providing care.&nbsp;

<p>Fried explains that gig workers such as Uber drivers or people with childcare or eldercare responsibilities often feel like they can’t afford to take a day off working or providing care.&nbsp;</p>

“We started this program because we really believe that nobody should be priced out of serving on a jury,” said Fried.“The lack of compensation prevents many people from participating in jury service.”

<p>“We started this program because we really believe that nobody should be priced out of serving on a jury,” said Fried.“The lack of compensation prevents many people from participating in jury service.”</p>

Jurors serving on criminal trials are eligible for compensation through the “Be The Jury” pilot program if their household income is less than 80% of the Area Median Income—that’s $74,600 for a single person or $106,550 for a family of four—and they’re self-unemployed or unemployed or their employer won’t compensate for jury service or for the estimated duration of the trial.&nbsp;

<p>Jurors serving on criminal trials are eligible for compensation through the “Be The Jury” pilot program if their household income is less than 80% of the Area Median Income—that’s $74,600 for a single person or $106,550 for a family of four—and they’re self-unemployed or unemployed or their employer won’t compensate for jury service or for the estimated duration of the trial.&nbsp;</p>

Currently, state law <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/24355.htm">does not require employers to compensate employees</a> who miss work because of jury service, but the <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&amp;sectionNum=230.">California Labor Code</a> does prohibit employers from firing or harassing an employee who is summoned for jury duty. According to a survey by the Administrative Office of the Courts of California, 35% of jurors report that jury service imposed a financial hardship. Typical California jury service compensation <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/juryservice.htm">is $15 per day</a> after the first day if a juror’s employer does not cover their pay while serving.

<p>Currently, state law <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/24355.htm">does not require employers to compensate employees</a> who miss work because of jury service, but the <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB&amp;sectionNum=230.">California Labor Code</a> does prohibit employers from firing or harassing an employee who is summoned for jury duty. According to a survey by the Administrative Office of the Courts of California, 35% of jurors report that jury service imposed a financial hardship. Typical California jury service compensation <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/juryservice.htm">is $15 per day</a> after the first day if a juror’s employer does not cover their pay while serving.</p>

The program also aims to create more diverse juries with a range of socioeconomic experiences, backgrounds and perspectives that “reflect the broader community of San Francisco,” said Rachel Marshall, a spokesperson for District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a co-sponsor of AB 1452.

<p>The program also aims to create more diverse juries with a range of socioeconomic experiences, backgrounds and perspectives that “reflect the broader community of San Francisco,” said Rachel Marshall, a spokesperson for District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a co-sponsor of AB 1452.</p>

“A lot of times wealth disparities are correlated with race, and that often means that disproportionately it&#8217;s people of color who are unable to serve on juries [because of] those financial hardships,” said Marshall. “It&#8217;s really important for public safety that we have juries that can understand the context in communities that people are coming from.”

<p>“A lot of times wealth disparities are correlated with race, and that often means that disproportionately it's people of color who are unable to serve on juries [because of] those financial hardships,” said Marshall. “It's really important for public safety that we have juries that can understand the context in communities that people are coming from.”</p>

<p>“A lot of times wealth disparities are correlated with race, and that often means that disproportionately it&#8217;s people of color who are unable to serve on juries [because of] those financial hardships,” said Marshall. “It&#8217;s really important for public safety that we have juries that can understand the context in communities that people are coming from.”</p>

Prospective jurors will receive more information about “Be The Jury” through their summons or arrival at court from the judge and can learn more about the program by calling 311 or visiting <a href="https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/jury-services/jury-reporting">bit.ly/BeTheJury</a>.&nbsp;

<p>Prospective jurors will receive more information about “Be The Jury” through their summons or arrival at court from the judge and can learn more about the program by calling 311 or visiting <a href="https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/jury-services/jury-reporting">bit.ly/BeTheJury</a>.&nbsp;</p>

Pilot program paves a way for San Francisco’s low-income jurors

Jane Natoli

<em>Jane Natoli is a local advocate who sits on the Airport Commission and spends too much time thinking about the future of San Francisco. She resides in the Inner Richmond when she’s not biking all over the city.</em>

<p><em>Jane Natoli is a local advocate who sits on the Airport Commission and spends too much time thinking about the future of San Francisco. She resides in the Inner Richmond when she’s not biking all over the city.</em></p>

It’s hard to find positive news on the housing front in San Francisco some days. Neighborhoods like <a href="https://sfstandard.com/perspectives/perspective-lets-topple-the-housing-monuments-of-our-racist-past-starting-with-st-francis-wood/">St. Francis Wood</a> are seeking to amber themselves off using historic designation to fend off recent state-level housing bills that would permit two homes on the same lot, allowing the neighborhood to keep the exclusionary status of its original design. Although its voters elected a housing champion <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/analysis-matt-haney-david-campos-assembly-housing/">to the state legislature</a>, San Francisco’s governing body is still debating Supervisor Rafael Mandelman’s proposed fourplex—or four homes on one lot—legislation at the local level with no signs of urgency. The same supervisors still meddle in individual projects like <a href="https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/supervisors-under-fire-vote-against-proposed-soma-apartment-building-sparks-furor-may-violate-state-law/">469 Stevenson St.</a>, voting them down for specious reasons, leading to protracted battles with state housing authorities.

<p>It’s hard to find positive news on the housing front in San Francisco some days. Neighborhoods like <a href="https://sfstandard.com/perspectives/perspective-lets-topple-the-housing-monuments-of-our-racist-past-starting-with-st-francis-wood/">St. Francis Wood</a> are seeking to amber themselves off using historic designation to fend off recent state-level housing bills that would permit two homes on the same lot, allowing the neighborhood to keep the exclusionary status of its original design. Although its voters elected a housing champion <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/analysis-matt-haney-david-campos-assembly-housing/">to the state legislature</a>, San Francisco’s governing body is still debating Supervisor Rafael Mandelman’s proposed fourplex—or four homes on one lot—legislation at the local level with no signs of urgency. The same supervisors still meddle in individual projects like <a href="https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/supervisors-under-fire-vote-against-proposed-soma-apartment-building-sparks-furor-may-violate-state-law/">469 Stevenson St.</a>, voting them down for specious reasons, leading to protracted battles with state housing authorities.</p>

All of this shows just how unprepared San Francisco is for its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), an impending catastrophe NIMBYs in the city seem in complete denial of. In short, San Francisco has until Jan. 31, 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Wiener/status/1390815422740537344?s=20&amp;t=mlS3RMJW5rt3lrU9Gbbung">to submit a valid plan to build 82,069 homes</a>, at a variety of income levels, between now and 2031. And all indications are that process is going to be a mess. San Francisco has submitted a draft plan for this next eight-year cycle, but <a href="https://twitter.com/CSElmendorf/status/1524161546707881984?s=20&amp;t=LeFqcwapN-HV18z5dHX16A">only for approximately 5,000 homes a year</a>—showing just how unserious we are taking this state mandate. That would total only 40,000 new homes, or less than half the requirement.

<p>All of this shows just how unprepared San Francisco is for its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), an impending catastrophe NIMBYs in the city seem in complete denial of. In short, San Francisco has until Jan. 31, 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Wiener/status/1390815422740537344?s=20&amp;t=mlS3RMJW5rt3lrU9Gbbung">to submit a valid plan to build 82,069 homes</a>, at a variety of income levels, between now and 2031. And all indications are that process is going to be a mess. San Francisco has submitted a draft plan for this next eight-year cycle, but <a href="https://twitter.com/CSElmendorf/status/1524161546707881984?s=20&amp;t=LeFqcwapN-HV18z5dHX16A">only for approximately 5,000 homes a year</a>—showing just how unserious we are taking this state mandate. That would total only 40,000 new homes, or less than half the requirement.</p>

So what happens if San Francisco fails to submit a valid plan? No one really knows. There are provisions to the RHNA that kick in if cities fail to comply with state law, but these are largely untested, and I would expect the city to fight that if it even comes to it. We would really be entering uncharted territory.&nbsp;

<p>So what happens if San Francisco fails to submit a valid plan? No one really knows. There are provisions to the RHNA that kick in if cities fail to comply with state law, but these are largely untested, and I would expect the city to fight that if it even comes to it. We would really be entering uncharted territory.&nbsp;</p>

Thankfully, some of our supervisors get this. <a href="https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/amid-competing-legislation-mandelman-fourplex-proposal-leads-the-pack/">Rafael Mandelman introduced legislation to allow for fourplexes</a> throughout San Francisco late last year. The Board of Supervisors has finally taken up this proposal. However, in typical fashion, instead of just pursuing a straightforward bill, other supervisors saddled the initial proposal with amendments that make something that already would not have done much entirely unworkable, such as dictating specific bedroom counts for some of the units to be built, adding rent control, and tacking on other onerous requirements such as delaying any such conversion for newly acquired properties for five years to ostensibly prevent speculation.&nbsp;

<p>Thankfully, some of our supervisors get this. <a href="https://sfstandard.com/housing-development/amid-competing-legislation-mandelman-fourplex-proposal-leads-the-pack/">Rafael Mandelman introduced legislation to allow for fourplexes</a> throughout San Francisco late last year. The Board of Supervisors has finally taken up this proposal. However, in typical fashion, instead of just pursuing a straightforward bill, other supervisors saddled the initial proposal with amendments that make something that already would not have done much entirely unworkable, such as dictating specific bedroom counts for some of the units to be built, adding rent control, and tacking on other onerous requirements such as delaying any such conversion for newly acquired properties for five years to ostensibly prevent speculation.&nbsp;</p>

Considering policies like <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/03/01/minneapolis-triplex-legalize-impact-little">Minneapolis zoning all lots for triplexes a few years ago</a>, even the most straightforward proposal will not add many homes. It is not really clear what the supervisors are trying to accomplish with this now overly complicated fourplex bill. Even Supervisor Mandelman conceded that this will not add many new homes in its original form. As builders would say, these homes will not “pencil out,” meaning they would not make sense for people to build, given the costs. A few people may take advantage of the flexibility to add more homes on their property, but it’s not going to lead to some speculation boom the day after it’s passed. As is far too often the case, we try to make every single housing bill do everything until it accomplishes nothing.&nbsp;

<p>Considering policies like <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2021/03/01/minneapolis-triplex-legalize-impact-little">Minneapolis zoning all lots for triplexes a few years ago</a>, even the most straightforward proposal will not add many homes. It is not really clear what the supervisors are trying to accomplish with this now overly complicated fourplex bill. Even Supervisor Mandelman conceded that this will not add many new homes in its original form. As builders would say, these homes will not “pencil out,” meaning they would not make sense for people to build, given the costs. A few people may take advantage of the flexibility to add more homes on their property, but it’s not going to lead to some speculation boom the day after it’s passed. As is far too often the case, we try to make every single housing bill do everything until it accomplishes nothing.&nbsp;</p>

This isn’t to say we shouldn&#8217;t pass a fourplex bill at some point. We should, but even in its original form it would mostly be symbolic of our commitment to build more much-needed homes—and even that looks challenging at the Board of Supervisors level, where any proposal will have to pass. We are going to have to do so much more beyond fourplexes to provide the homes we need for current and future San Franciscans.

<p>This isn’t to say we shouldn't pass a fourplex bill at some point. We should, but even in its original form it would mostly be symbolic of our commitment to build more much-needed homes—and even that looks challenging at the Board of Supervisors level, where any proposal will have to pass. We are going to have to do so much more beyond fourplexes to provide the homes we need for current and future San Franciscans.</p>

<p>This isn’t to say we shouldn&#8217;t pass a fourplex bill at some point. We should, but even in its original form it would mostly be symbolic of our commitment to build more much-needed homes—and even that looks challenging at the Board of Supervisors level, where any proposal will have to pass. We are going to have to do so much more beyond fourplexes to provide the homes we need for current and future San Franciscans.</p>

We cling to the belief that we know how to solve our housing crisis best and try to push away state control, but we have not shown any evidence that we are doing a good job locally as the debacle around fourplexes shows, which is why the state is stepping in. Four years ago, while most of the debate around state housing focused on state Sen. Scott Wiener’s ambitious (or contentious, depending on who you ask) SB 827, which would have dramatically increased where more homes could be built throughout the state, <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Wiener/status/1390815421138292741?s=20&amp;t=mlS3RMJW5rt3lrU9Gbbung">its lesser known companion bill SB 828 (also from Sen. Wiener)</a> quietly chugged along, eventually passing and being signed into law. This bill didn’t immediately do anything, but it did strengthen the relatively arcane process of RHNA.

<p>We cling to the belief that we know how to solve our housing crisis best and try to push away state control, but we have not shown any evidence that we are doing a good job locally as the debacle around fourplexes shows, which is why the state is stepping in. Four years ago, while most of the debate around state housing focused on state Sen. Scott Wiener’s ambitious (or contentious, depending on who you ask) SB 827, which would have dramatically increased where more homes could be built throughout the state, <a href="https://twitter.com/Scott_Wiener/status/1390815421138292741?s=20&amp;t=mlS3RMJW5rt3lrU9Gbbung">its lesser known companion bill SB 828 (also from Sen. Wiener)</a> quietly chugged along, eventually passing and being signed into law. This bill didn’t immediately do anything, but it did strengthen the relatively arcane process of RHNA.</p>

Previously, cities and regions were able to set hand-wavy goals for future housing for a variety of income levels on eight-year cycles: <a href="https://abundanthousingla.org/rhna-the-best-and-worst/">Beverly Hills famously committed to building three units of affordable housing in the last RHNA cycle</a>. However, thanks to the diligent work of our state senator, cities and regions now have to set much more realistic goals. <a href="https://www.beverlyhills.org/cbhfiles/storage/files/7987147481031588504/FAQ-HousingElementUpdateFINAL2.pdf">Beverly Hills is expected to plan for and build 3,096 during the next eight-year cycle</a>. And if it, or any city in California fails to submit a compliant housing plan, there is now a stronger <a href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/accountability-enforcement.shtml">Housing Accountability Unit</a> at the state level that has the teeth to actually enforce the law when cities submit vaporwave plans for new housing. But enforcement takes time, and we have not yet seen what might happen or how cities may fight this.

<p>Previously, cities and regions were able to set hand-wavy goals for future housing for a variety of income levels on eight-year cycles: <a href="https://abundanthousingla.org/rhna-the-best-and-worst/">Beverly Hills famously committed to building three units of affordable housing in the last RHNA cycle</a>. However, thanks to the diligent work of our state senator, cities and regions now have to set much more realistic goals. <a href="https://www.beverlyhills.org/cbhfiles/storage/files/7987147481031588504/FAQ-HousingElementUpdateFINAL2.pdf">Beverly Hills is expected to plan for and build 3,096 during the next eight-year cycle</a>. And if it, or any city in California fails to submit a compliant housing plan, there is now a stronger <a href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/accountability-enforcement.shtml">Housing Accountability Unit</a> at the state level that has the teeth to actually enforce the law when cities submit vaporwave plans for new housing. But enforcement takes time, and we have not yet seen what might happen or how cities may fight this.</p>

San Francisco’s previous RHNA goals were not as laughable as Beverly Hills’, but have not been nearly enough to keep up with our desperate need for more homes either. To put this in perspective, <a href="https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/reports/2020_Housing_Inventory.pdf">the only year during the past two decades when we built more than 5,000 homes was 2016</a>. We need to be not merely planning but executing at twice that rate, for eight years in a row! People love to point to the pipeline of homes we have planned, but many proposed sites have infamously been in that same pipeline since before the previous RHNA cycle. Sites such as Visitacion Valley’s <a href="https://sfplanning.org/visitacion-valleyschlage-lock-plan#outreach-and-approval">Schlage Lock</a> sit empty still despite having been approved in 2014.

<p>San Francisco’s previous RHNA goals were not as laughable as Beverly Hills’, but have not been nearly enough to keep up with our desperate need for more homes either. To put this in perspective, <a href="https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/reports/2020_Housing_Inventory.pdf">the only year during the past two decades when we built more than 5,000 homes was 2016</a>. We need to be not merely planning but executing at twice that rate, for eight years in a row! People love to point to the pipeline of homes we have planned, but many proposed sites have infamously been in that same pipeline since before the previous RHNA cycle. Sites such as Visitacion Valley’s <a href="https://sfplanning.org/visitacion-valleyschlage-lock-plan#outreach-and-approval">Schlage Lock</a> sit empty still despite having been approved in 2014.</p>

None of this is surprising, of course. San Francisco continues to lack any real appetite for allowing more homes, especially throughout the city’s West Side, where almost no housing, affordable or otherwise, has been built in the past few decades. San Francisco clings to allowing any neighbor who disagrees with any proposal for even the flimsiest reasons to delay or deny it.&nbsp;

<p>None of this is surprising, of course. San Francisco continues to lack any real appetite for allowing more homes, especially throughout the city’s West Side, where almost no housing, affordable or otherwise, has been built in the past few decades. San Francisco clings to allowing any neighbor who disagrees with any proposal for even the flimsiest reasons to delay or deny it.&nbsp;</p>

San Franciscans, at least those in higher offices, have shown support for housing. Mayor Breed has been an unabashed champion of our need for citywide action. We’ve elected strong legislators like former Assemblymember David Chiu, current Assemblymember Phil Ting and Sen. Wiener. Assemblymember Matt Haney just ran an unapologetically pro-housing campaign and won resoundingly. Unfortunately, that has yet to trickle down to the supervisor level, where they continue to debate mostly symbolic measures while time runs out for our city to submit a housing plan for the next eight years.

<p>San Franciscans, at least those in higher offices, have shown support for housing. Mayor Breed has been an unabashed champion of our need for citywide action. We’ve elected strong legislators like former Assemblymember David Chiu, current Assemblymember Phil Ting and Sen. Wiener. Assemblymember Matt Haney just ran an unapologetically pro-housing campaign and won resoundingly. Unfortunately, that has yet to trickle down to the supervisor level, where they continue to debate mostly symbolic measures while time runs out for our city to submit a housing plan for the next eight years.</p>

We’re a city of lofty ideals. We don’t just need, we deserve equally lofty plans to actually live up to those ideals. And we all need to do our part, including those of us who call the Western neighborhoods home. I’d like to look back on this opinion and find it alarmist. But if the debates around minimal measures and fights to even avoid modest plans for more homes are any indication, it is that San Francisco is unprepared for what is coming, and that’s not good news for any of us.

<p>We’re a city of lofty ideals. We don’t just need, we deserve equally lofty plans to actually live up to those ideals. And we all need to do our part, including those of us who call the Western neighborhoods home. I’d like to look back on this opinion and find it alarmist. But if the debates around minimal measures and fights to even avoid modest plans for more homes are any indication, it is that San Francisco is unprepared for what is coming, and that’s not good news for any of us.</p>

<em>Follow Jane on Twitter at @wafoli</em>

<p><em>Follow Jane on Twitter at @wafoli</em></p>

SF has eight months to submit a plan for 80,000 new homes. If we don’t, we’re in an even deeper mess

Opinion: SF has eight months to submit a plan for 80,000 new homes. If we don’t, we’re in an even deeper mess

Noah Baustin

Ebony Nolan expects trouble when she applies for a job.

<p>Ebony Nolan expects trouble when she applies for a job.</p>

One time, Nolan thought she was about to get hired as a bank teller. The interview went well, but after running a background check, the bank suddenly turned her down, she said. Another time, she had already started working shifts at a local sandwich shop before her conviction was flagged during a background check. She said she left that job soon after, too.

<p>One time, Nolan thought she was about to get hired as a bank teller. The interview went well, but after running a background check, the bank suddenly turned her down, she said. Another time, she had already started working shifts at a local sandwich shop before her conviction was flagged during a background check. She said she left that job soon after, too.</p>

Nolan was convicted of a felony crime in 2007. Then 19 years old, she was sentenced to serve over 100 days in jail and three years of probation. But long after her incarceration ended, Nolan continues to face the fallout from her criminal conviction as it resurfaces during background checks.

<p>Nolan was convicted of a felony crime in 2007. Then 19 years old, she was sentenced to serve over 100 days in jail and three years of probation. But long after her incarceration ended, Nolan continues to face the fallout from her criminal conviction as it resurfaces during background checks.</p>

That’s why she recently submitted a petition to get her record cleared through a process called expungement—a general term for the collection of legal processes Californians can pursue to make their criminal history less public.&nbsp;

<p>That’s why she recently submitted a petition to get her record cleared through a process called expungement—a general term for the collection of legal processes Californians can pursue to make their criminal history less public.&nbsp;</p>

For Nolan, expungement would have meant that her criminal case from 15 years ago was dismissed, allowing her to lawfully say that she has no conviction on her record when applying to most jobs or housing.

<p>For Nolan, expungement would have meant that her criminal case from 15 years ago was dismissed, allowing her to lawfully say that she has no conviction on her record when applying to most jobs or housing.</p>

The trouble is, Nolan still owes about $700 in victim restitution, according to the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. So prosecutors are opposing her expungement until she makes more payments to the court.&nbsp;

<p>The trouble is, Nolan still owes about $700 in victim restitution, according to the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office. So prosecutors are opposing her expungement until she makes more payments to the court.&nbsp;</p>

That’s left Nolan—who makes about $30,000 as the sole breadwinner for her two children—in limbo.

<p>That’s left Nolan—who makes about $30,000 as the sole breadwinner for her two children—in limbo.</p>

“I need to build something for them,” she said.&nbsp;

<p>“I need to build something for them,” she said.&nbsp;</p>

But without the expungement, that years-old conviction will continue to haunt her.

<p>But without the expungement, that years-old conviction will continue to haunt her.</p>

Photo illustration of a Criminal Record Disclosure form, which is a routine part of many California job applications. | Camille Cohen/The Standard


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ExpungementFees-1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-71985"/><figcaption>Photo illustration of a Criminal Record Disclosure form; a routine part of many California job applications. | Camille Cohen/The Standard</figcaption></figure>


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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ExpungementFees-1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-71985"/><figcaption>Photo illustration of a Criminal Record Disclosure form; a routine part of many California job applications. | Camille Cohen/The Standard</figcaption></figure>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fresh-start">A Fresh Start</h2>


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<h2 id="h-a-fresh-start">A Fresh Start</h2>

The <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB1106">Fresh Start Act</a>—which is awaiting action on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk—would remove this financial barrier for Nolan and others seeking expungement. The proposed law, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would prevent courts from denying an expungement because the person owes an outstanding restitution debt.&nbsp;

<p>The <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB1106">Fresh Start Act</a>—which is awaiting action on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk—would remove this financial barrier for Nolan and others seeking expungement. The proposed law, authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would prevent courts from denying an expungement because the person owes an outstanding restitution debt.&nbsp;</p>

If passed, people throughout California who owe court fees will gain an easier path to clearing their records.&nbsp;

<p>If passed, people throughout California who owe court fees will gain an easier path to clearing their records.&nbsp;</p>

Ebony Nolan, who still faces fallout from a felony conviction when she was 19, stands for a portrait on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in San Francisco, Calif. | Noah Berger for The Standard


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/EbonyNolan05-2500x1663.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-71988"/><figcaption>Ebony Nolan, who still faces fallout from a felony conviction when she was 19, stands for a portrait on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, in San Francisco. | Noah Berger for The Standard</figcaption></figure>


Advocates for the Fresh Start Act say that tying expungement to people’s debts unfairly punishes the poorest defendants, and, in a twist of irony, prevents them from getting the jobs that could enable them to pay down the sum.&nbsp;

<p>Advocates for the Fresh Start Act say that tying expungement to people’s debts unfairly punishes the poorest defendants, and, in a twist of irony, prevents them from getting the jobs that could enable them to pay down the sum.&nbsp;</p>

But defraying victim restitution fees from expungement will get rid of an important incentive to pay people harmed by crimes the financial amends they’re entitled to, said Kathy Storton, a retired prosecutor and member of the CA District Attorney’s Association Legislation Committee. Her organization opposes the bill, arguing that judges already have the discretion to grant expungements to defendants who owe outstanding fees.

<p>But defraying victim restitution fees from expungement will get rid of an important incentive to pay people harmed by crimes the financial amends they’re entitled to, said Kathy Storton, a retired prosecutor and member of the CA District Attorney’s Association Legislation Committee. Her organization opposes the bill, arguing that judges already have the discretion to grant expungements to defendants who owe outstanding fees.</p>

If the governor vetoes Wiener’s bill—as he’s already done to another high-profile would-be law <a href="https://sfstandard.com/public-health/gov-newsom-vetoes-safe-drug-use-site-bill-citing-unintended-consequences/">this legislative session</a>—then here in SF, prosecutors in District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’s office will retain significant influence over who can get their record expunged. And local judges will continue to have the final say on the issue. 

<p>If the governor vetoes Wiener’s bill—as he’s already done to another high-profile would-be law <a href="https://sfstandard.com/public-health/gov-newsom-vetoes-safe-drug-use-site-bill-citing-unintended-consequences/">this legislative session</a>—then here in SF, prosecutors in District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’s office will retain significant influence over who can get their record expunged. And local judges will continue to have the final say on the issue. </p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-debt-to-society">Debt to Society</h2>


<h2 id="h-debt-to-society">Debt to Society</h2>

Each year, tens of thousands of people are convicted of crimes across California, <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/2022-Court-Statistics-Report.pdf">according to data from the Judicial Council of California</a>, the policymaking body of the state’s court system.&nbsp;

<p>Each year, tens of thousands of people are convicted of crimes across California, <a href="https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/2022-Court-Statistics-Report.pdf">according to data from the Judicial Council of California</a>, the policymaking body of the state’s court system.&nbsp;</p>

Pedestrians walk around the of San Francisco Superior Court, Hall of Justice (HOJ), at 850 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94103 on Monday, August 15, 2022. | Camille Cohen/The Standard


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/HallOfJustice-06.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-71991"/><figcaption>A pedestrian passes the Hall of Justice, home to the San Francisco Superior Court, in San Francisco on Monday, August 15, 2022. | Camille Cohen/The Standard</figcaption></figure>


But even after they serve time behind bars and complete parole and probation, many are left with another debt to society: court fees. Some are fines, which can range from a few hundred dollars up to $10,000.

<p>But even after they serve time behind bars and complete parole and probation, many are left with another debt to society: court fees. Some are fines, which can range from a few hundred dollars up to $10,000.</p>

Courts also issue orders of restitution, which require convicts to pay money directly to a victim to cover costs that person incurred as a result of the crime, including the value of stolen property, medical treatment, wages lost due to an injury and more.&nbsp;

<p>Courts also issue orders of restitution, which require convicts to pay money directly to a victim to cover costs that person incurred as a result of the crime, including the value of stolen property, medical treatment, wages lost due to an injury and more.&nbsp;</p>

The median amount that California courts order defendants to pay to crime survivors is $10,000, Delaney Green, Clinical Supervisor at the UC Berkeley School of Law, found in an unpublished study of 15 counties. The study did not include San Francisco.

<p>The median amount that California courts order defendants to pay to crime survivors is $10,000, Delaney Green, Clinical Supervisor at the UC Berkeley School of Law, found in an unpublished study of 15 counties. The study did not include San Francisco.</p>

Currently, people convicted of crimes in the San Francisco Superior Court owe a combined outstanding balance of over $11.8 million to crime victims, according to data provided by the court. That figure includes fee accounts created in the past five years, so the grand total that San Franciscians owe in victim restitution is surely higher.

<p>Currently, people convicted of crimes in the San Francisco Superior Court owe a combined outstanding balance of over $11.8 million to crime victims, according to data provided by the court. That figure includes fee accounts created in the past five years, so the grand total that San Franciscians owe in victim restitution is surely higher.</p>

These restitution fees are a significant hurdle for San Franciscians seeking expungements, explained Vilaska Nguyen, a managing attorney in the Public Defender’s Office Specialty and Collaborative Unit.

<p>These restitution fees are a significant hurdle for San Franciscians seeking expungements, explained Vilaska Nguyen, a managing attorney in the Public Defender’s Office Specialty and Collaborative Unit.</p>

“If there’s a red flag with victim’s restitution, generally the DAs are going to object,” he said.

<p>“If there’s a red flag with victim’s restitution, generally the DAs are going to object,” he said.</p>

The vast majority of expungement motions filed by the city’s Public Defender’s Office in recent years have been granted, according to data the agency shared with The Standard. For the past three years, about 95% of expungement motions were granted. But even with that high approval rate, dozens of people in 2020 and 2021 failed to get their records cleared—often because they still owed victim restitution, Nguyen said.

<p>The vast majority of expungement motions filed by the city’s Public Defender’s Office in recent years have been granted, according to data the agency shared with The Standard. For the past three years, about 95% of expungement motions were granted. But even with that high approval rate, dozens of people in 2020 and 2021 failed to get their records cleared—often because they still owed victim restitution, Nguyen said.</p>

The majority of the cases during that time period arose during the tenure of former District Attorney Chesa Boudin. But in 2019, the year before the former public defender became the city’s top prosecutor, the number of granted expungements was significantly lower, coming in at 82%. That year, over 300 people were blocked from getting their cases expunged.

<p>The majority of the cases during that time period arose during the tenure of former District Attorney Chesa Boudin. But in 2019, the year before the former public defender became the city’s top prosecutor, the number of granted expungements was significantly lower, coming in at 82%. That year, over 300 people were blocked from getting their cases expunged.</p>

“Boudin’s administration was by far the most progressive and understanding compared to his predecessors,” San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Kelly Pretzer wrote in an email when asked to compare recent district attorneys’ records on expungement. “We are hopeful that DA Jenkins continues the practice of supporting people who have turned their lives around, particularly for those people who owe restitution on their cases.”

<p>“Boudin’s administration was by far the most progressive and understanding compared to his predecessors,” San Francisco Deputy Public Defender Kelly Pretzer wrote in an email when asked to compare recent district attorneys’ records on expungement. “We are hopeful that DA Jenkins continues the practice of supporting people who have turned their lives around, particularly for those people who owe restitution on their cases.”</p>

“The District Attorney’s Office follows the law, and objects in cases where probation conditions have not been met, including restitution requirements. The office has operated this way since DA Gascon’s tenure,” said Randy Quezada, spokesperson for the SF District Attorney’s Office. Quezada declined to comment further on the office’s expungement policies, or any of the data presented in this story.

<p>“The District Attorney’s Office follows the law, and objects in cases where probation conditions have not been met, including restitution requirements. The office has operated this way since DA Gascon’s tenure,” said Randy Quezada, spokesperson for the SF District Attorney’s Office. Quezada declined to comment further on the office’s expungement policies, or any of the data presented in this story.</p>

So far, that data indicates that Jenkins’ administration is taking a tougher tack on expungement than her predecessor. There have been seven expungement cases where outstanding victim restitution was at issue since Mayor London Breed appointed her DA in early July.&nbsp;

<p>So far, that data indicates that Jenkins’ administration is taking a tougher tack on expungement than her predecessor. There have been seven expungement cases where outstanding victim restitution was at issue since Mayor London Breed appointed her DA in early July.&nbsp;</p>

SF new District Attorney, Brooke Jenkins, on Thursday, July 7, 2022, in San Francisco, Calif. Paul Kuroda for The Standard.


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DAAppointment-_PK_.jpg64-2500x1667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-72001"/><figcaption>Mayor London Breed announced the appointment of Brooke Jenkins to the position of San Francisco District Attorney on Thursday, July 7, 2022 in San Francisco. Jenkins replaced Chesa Boudin, who was recalled by the voters of the city. | Paul Kuroda for The Standard</figcaption></figure>


Her office has opposed every expungement.

<p>Her office has opposed every expungement.</p>

In one case, a man with a 2006 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon owes the court over $2,700 and has an annual income of under $10,000. His case was postponed so he could begin making “good faith payments” on his debt to the court before giving expungement a second shot.&nbsp;

<p>In one case, a man with a 2006 conviction for assault with a deadly weapon owes the court over $2,700 and has an annual income of under $10,000. His case was postponed so he could begin making “good faith payments” on his debt to the court before giving expungement a second shot.&nbsp;</p>

Another man was convicted in 2010 of illegal possession of an assault weapon. He owes the court over $16,200 and earns over $112,000 annually. He also agreed to withdraw his case to refile after paying down more of the debt.

<p>Another man was convicted in 2010 of illegal possession of an assault weapon. He owes the court over $16,200 and earns over $112,000 annually. He also agreed to withdraw his case to refile after paying down more of the debt.</p>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">‘I’m a Good Person Again’</h2>


Celeste Saldaña was inspired by the resilient work of medical workers during Covid, so the mother of five decided last year to become a medical assistant. She juggled childcare and a graveyard shift at Amazon to put herself through school while also putting in work for a volunteer externship at an urgent care center. She was thrilled when the urgent care center offered her a job.&nbsp;

<p>Celeste Saldaña was inspired by the resilient work of medical workers during Covid, so the mother of five decided last year to become a medical assistant. She juggled childcare and a graveyard shift at Amazon to put herself through school while also putting in work for a volunteer externship at an urgent care center. She was thrilled when the urgent care center offered her a job.&nbsp;</p>

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Opinion: SF has eight months to submit a plan for 80,000 new homes. If we don’t, we’re in an even deeper mess

SF prosecutors prevent people with court debts from clearing criminal records. A state bill could change that