By Richard Ivanhoe, HANC Board
We began 2021 with a note of optimism—a new Federal administration and the arrival of vaccines would speed our recovery from Covid. As we look back on the year, we find the usual mix of frustration from unfulfilled promises and some progress. HANC did meet every month in 2021 (except for our tradition of skipping August), although we could only meet online.
In January, we discussed affordable housing—how funds from 2018, 2019, and 2020 ballot measures could be used to bolster the City’s affordable housing by purchasing permanent affordable housing and shelter in place hotels, and by helping renters remain housed. At our February meeting, we discussed UCSF’s plans to expand its Parnassus campus. We also discussed CART, a community alternative to policing. For our March meeting, we discussed plans to make permanent the closure of JFK Drive and slow Page Street, suggestions for improvements to the Panhandle, and the investigation of Parks Alliance. Jen Snyder, from Dean Preston’s office, also gave a primer explaining the City’s budget process.