The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) has announced a delay in the community planning process for 730 Stanyan (see accompanying article, “Status Update on 730 Stanyan.”  It is now projected that the project won’t break ground until some time in 2023.  CAMP, the safe sleeping site, is scheduled to leave by June 30, 2021.

HANC is concerned that the soon-to-be vacant lot could remain a vacant lot for the next two years or more.  There is already a well-developed plan for an interim use for the site, which addresses needs of three target communities—families, transition-age youth, and seniors, and also provides for activities for the general neighborhood community.  This plan is the Community Proposal for Interim Use, developed by the Coalition for a Complete Community.  It can be downloaded at https://www.hanc-sf.org/the-voice-and-docs/730-Stanyan/Submitted-CCC-Interim-Use-Proposal/.

HANC will continue to advocate for this plan, and encourages you to download the plan, review it, and join us in supporting this interim use for the 730 Stanyan site.  We believe this will be the best use for the site while MOHCD, the development team, and the community continue to develop long-term plans for the site.

By David Woo, HANC Board

Joe Eskenazi with Mission Local joined the April meeting and discussed the ongoing and continually unfolding corruption scandals that have come to light in San Francisco. Eskanazi discussed how the corruption cases in San Francisco are likely broadening and expanding, though it is hard to know definitively.

Those currently cooperating with the investigation and to keep an eye on include Sandra Zuniga, who was working in the mayor’s office, and Walter Wong who worked as a permit expediter.

 

By Lisa Awbrey, HANC President

At HANC’s April meeting, paralegal and tenant counsellor Renee Curran gave updates on the state of tenant protections, evictions and strategies in the time of COVID-19. Current information is available at hrcsf.org. 

The current “ban on evictions” is not a ban at all, and without further action, will end on June 30, 2021. Previously, when HRCSF counseled tenants on the local rent moratorium, it was harrowing because the local eviction ban could only be extended on a monthly basis. People grew increasingly worried about unpaid rent piling up with the knowledge that the pandemic wouldn’t last just a few months. SB3038 changed that, giving more stability, but the tenants still had to pay 25% instead of no rent.

By Bruce Wolfe, HANC Board

At the April HANC Membership Meeting, Eric Albrecht (W2GMD) introduced us to the SF Amateur Radio Club (SFRC) (he is President) and to the Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) (he is the Radio Operations Lead), which operates under the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management. Because amateur radio operators, or HAMS, are members of both SFRC and ACS, the two entities are frequently mistaken to be the same.

            From their website, "The San Francisco Radio Club (SFRC) was formed in 1909 by a handful of radio enthusiasts with the objective of exchanging messages over the air. In 1916 the president at time, Henry W. Dickow (6HD), founded the club and published the first Yearbook. In the early days the club enjoyed a membership of as many as 300 radio amateurs!

By Christin Evans, HANC Treasurer

PG&E and the City of San Francisco’s dispute over electricity contracts has delayed the powering of traffic signals and pedestrian light poles installed last year.   As part of the Haight Ashbury Public Realm plan which started its implementation in 2017, SFMTA planned new traffic lights at intersections along upper Haight Street between Shrader and Central streets.  Those traffic lights were installed where stop signs now control the traffic flow.  The city’s plan was to use traffic lights instead to speed the Muni buses and reduce the hazards of pedestrian-involved accidents.  But while those poles have been in place since Fall, 2020, the DPW project manager says contracts disputes with PG&E have delayed both the traffic signals and pedestrian light poles from being powered on.

By James Sword, HANC Board

We’d like to thank both Jen Snyder from Supervisor Preston’s Office and Supervisor Connie Chan for presenting at the March HANC Membership meeting.  Jen Snyder presented on budgeting 101, addbacks, and where and how to get involved. Supervisor Chan presented on why questions should be asked about the odd situation surrounding the Ferris Wheel. Here’s a bit of a summary.

Budget 101

San Francisco has a budget upwards of $12 billion. Much of it is already pre-determined, but not all of it. This is where you/we come in and (may) have the ability to influence how some (not in the billions) will be spent.

 

By Lisa Aubrey, HANC President

Pre pandemic times were perilous enough for San Francisco tenants. Add a global pandemic with sweeping existential challenges like job loss, transit shut downs, food shortages, loss of elder and child care, school closures and a lack of health care for all, and you’ve got a local, statewide and national disaster on your hands. 

A cursory Internet search reveals that as of March 26, 2021, there are 7,326 apartments listed for rent on Zumper, with a -24.3% year over year change in rents. While headlines trumpet that the SF rents have softened since the pandemic, our city remains the most expensive rental housing market in the nation, with the average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment listing for $2650.

Current figures (in San Francisco and nationally) underscore a glaring gap between rich and poor. At the start of the pandemic, thousands of well-paid workers fled the city to less expensive locations while continuing to keep their well-paying jobs and continuing to work remotely. At the same time, less fortunate San Franciscans struggle mightily to pay their rent and provide food for their families, especially in lower income neighborhoods like the Bayview, South of Market and the Tenderloin, where sheriff’s deputies have carried out nearly 3 dozen evictions since last Spring. Incredibly, after an eight-month pause, court-ordered evictions have resumed in San Francisco, harming some of our most vulnerable residents.

Our next general membership meeting will again be online, on Thursday, April 8, at 7:00 pm.  Instructions for joining can be found in this issue of the Voice.

We have invited Joe Eskanazi, from Mission Local, to provide an update on the FBI investigation into City Hall corruption.

Renee Curran, long time housing rights activist, will provide an update and discussion on the current state of tenant protections, evictions, and strategies.

We will also hear from the Auxiliary Communication Service, a part of the Department of Emergency Management and from members of the San Francisco Radio Club about Ham Radio in San Francisco

Please join us for information you won’t get anywhere else.  Bring your questions and bring a friend (online).

  1. In Memory of Robert M. Leon
  2. Last Month (February) at HANC: UCSF Expansion Sued 3 Times Since February HANC Meeting
  3. Excerpts From Supervisor Preston's Newsletter
  4. Final Results From the Haight Ashbury Shopping Survey Released
  5. February 11 at HANC - UCSF and the Haight Ashbury: 120 Years of Struggle
  6. February at HANC: Campaing Launches to Create a Community Alternative to Police