The Bay Agenda: The Future of San Francisco Housing

San Francisco is about to undergo massive changes. The state has mandated that tens of thousands of homes need to be built in the city. With the deadline fast approaching, the question is where and how.

Mayor Daniel Lurie has introduced a "Family Zoning Plan" that would increase building height limitations along transit corridors and some other areas. City supervisors have introduced other ideas, any of which could change the look and feel of the city's neighborhoods.

KALW Executive Producer Ben Trefny will lead a town hall conversation bringing together stakeholders with different ideas of how to move forward. Confirmed guests include representatives of the and , the Race & Equity in All Planning Coalition.

The conversation will be conducted in person at KALW's Studio Events Space at 220 Montgomery Street in downtown San Francisco. It will be broadcast soon after on KALW, 91.7FM, and at KALW.org.

Housing Action Coalition is a member-supported non-profit that advocates for building more homes at all levels of affordability to help alleviate the Bay Area and California’s housing shortage, displacement, and affordability crisis.

Their members span 20+ industries including affordable and market-rate home builders, architects and designers, engineers and attorneys, labor unions and public education institutions, nonprofits and urban livability organizations, neighborhood associations, startup and grownup tech companies, businesses of all sizes, and individuals who want to play a part in addressing our region and state’s housing headaches.

Their big tent coalition represents a diverse array of sectors and viewpoints who share the common conviction that the key to solving our displacement and affordability problems is building more homes for residents of all income levels.

The mission of Race & Equity in all Planning Coalition is to build a future in San Francisco with diverse communities, stable, affordable housing and equitable access to resources and opportunities.

Housing justice and equity in land use must be led by historically marginalized communities. REP-SF believes that American Indian, Black, and other Communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+, low-income and no-income folks, seniors, and people with disabilities should determine our futures.

REP-SF envisions planning that puts the expertise of our communities at the forefront to solve issues of displacement, unaffordability, and inequality. The organization says, "We envision housing that we can afford, close to where we work, beautiful and culturally responsive design, and community and public land ownership. We envision new systems that prioritize the dignity, health, stability, and aspirations of our communities, and build for need and not for greed. We build collective power at a city planning level for housing justice and equity – for our communities now and generations to come!"

Ben Trefny has been part of the KALW family since 2003, where he currently serves as Executive Producer. As Executive News Editor, News Director, and Interim Executive Director, he helped the news department win numerous regional and national awards for long- and short-form journalism. He also helped create numerous training programs — for teenagers, incarcerated people, and early-career journalists — and has taught hundreds of audio producers. His current work focuses on journalism, live events, and partnerships.

There is a $10 - $20 sliding scale suggested donation for this event. Nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

Please become a KALW member today and receive your first drink on us at all 220 Montgomery events.

📍 220 Montgomery St., San Francisco, 2 blocks from BART/MUNI

🚪 Reception doors open at 6:00

🗣️ Program begins at 7:00

🆓 The event is free with an RSVP — and you are welcome to donate what you want

Please note:

• The event space is just to the left of the main entrance to the Mills Building at 220 Montgomery Street
• We recommend taking BART/MUNI, exiting at Montgomery, and walking two blocks north
• Ride-shares can drop off and pick up directly in front of the venue
• If you drive, there are several garages within two blocks of the event location; free street parking is available across from the venue at 7:00 pm

Title image by Mike McBey, Creative Commons use: https://www.flickr.com/photos/158652122@N02/26573235498

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher KALW Public Media