REP-SF Planning to the People Newsletter: July 2025
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Our REP-SF Planning to the People newsletter provides the latest news and ways to take action on behalf of grassroots communities for housing justice and equitable city planning – all in one place!
Thank you to our REP-SF members and allies who have been fighting to protect our communities as we face attacks at the local, state, and national level. It's been a busy month of advocacy, from demanding a People's Budget to defending state-level environmental protections. Please read below to learn how to take action locally to support your community!
Take Action: Act now to protect Prop C funding for affordable housing and RV residents! On July 17, please join us for an important hearing about SF's proposed upzonings!
Don't forget to submit art by July 14 for "More Than Mere Existence," a community art show showcasing Queer & Trans artists in the fight for housing, spatial, & land use justice!
In community,
The REP-SF Team
Race & Equity in all Planning Coalition
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July 8: Protect Prop C Funding for Affordable Housing!
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Mayor Lurie is making a move to have more control over voter-approved funds, including critical affordable housing funds, such as Prop C. Write a letter to protect your voting rights and Prop C! As soon as possible please email: Cheyanne.Chen@sfgov.org, Myrna.Melgar@sfgov.org, Bilal.Mahmood@sfgov.org, Board.of.Supervisors@sfgov.org using this sample letter from REP-SF member Coalition on Homelessness (COH).
Join COH for a press conference on Tuesday, July 8 at 12 pm on the Steps of City Hall! Show up to City Hall on July 8 for the Board of Supervisors meeting at 2 pm. We need to show up and tell them why this is unacceptable! If you’re interested in joining, email itzel@sdaction.org for more information.
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Protect RV Residents: July 9 & 15 Vote NO on RV Ban!
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Please join the End Poverty Tows Coalition to oppose the restrictions on RVs and large vehicles that many of our community members call home. Please use this Action Guide with talking points, an email template, and sample public comment. If you only have a moment, you can send a quick email using this tool! Upcoming dates for votes on this RV Ban:
- Wednesday, July 9th 10:00 a.m. City Hall Rm. 250: The ban goes to the Budget and Finance Committee (Chan, Dorsey, Engardio) for a vote.
- (Likely) Tuesday, July 15th 2:00 p.m. City Hall Rm. 250: If passed out of committee, ban will go to a first vote at the full Board of Supervisors.
- (Likely) Tuesday, July 22nd 2:00 p.m. City Hall Rm. 250: If passed favorably, ban will go to a second and final vote with the full Board.
Read more in Street Sheet, a publication of the Coalition on Homelessness.
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July 17: Join Us for a Critical Hearing about SF's Upzonings
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Thursday, July 17: Planning Commission Hearing (starts at noon, Room 400): During the next informational hearing on SF's proposed upzonings, the Planning Dept. will discuss its affordable housing sites inventory. During the last hearing on June 26 about financial feasibility, there was little to no discussion on feasibility to advance affordable housing. Now that the Mayor has introduced the upzoning legislation, please join us in voicing our concerns! It is time for the City to advance our community solutions for equity, affordability, and stability to prevent displacement of tenants and small businesses. Suggested talking points for public comment will be provided! Learn more in our blog post on SF's proposed upzonings and our community demands: bit.ly/REP_Blog_Rezone
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Is The City’s ‘family zoning’ plan big enough for families? – San Francisco Examiner, June 20, 2025
REP-SF member featured! REP-SF member Joseph Smooke explains that SF's proposed upzoning plan will not meet the needs of families. The measure “isn't actually a plan for more family housing,” said People Power Media co-founder Joseph Smooke, who has been pushing The City to include stronger tenant protections in its rezoning package. “Rather, it's a plan for more, smaller housing units.” Reporter Keith Menconi writes: Family-sized units are far more scarce in San Francisco than in other major cities, making it difficult to raise a family here. We have been pushing The City to impose minimums for three-bedrooms units. Smooke says, “There's no political value being placed on families and families growing in San Francisco."
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SF plan to add housing density set to go before lawmakers – San Francisco Examiner, June 24, 2025
REP-SF member featured! Joseph Smooke was quoted in an article about SF's proposed upzonings. Menconi wrote about REP-SF's advocacy to advance legislation that would protect tenants and small businesses from displacement. He wrote: Progressive housing activists warn that if The City fails to act, the proposed upzoning ordinance could unleash a wave of evictions, as redevelopment projects proliferate and displace longstanding tenants. Smooke said: “At this point, it seems like everyone's working diligently” to draft the companion measures. Nevertheless, he said, “we're cautious of course, because the schedules could become out of sync quickly.”
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Demolish rent-controlled housing? New Wiener bill could wipe out restrictions – 48Hills, June 30, 2025
REP-SF members featured! Tim Redmond of 48Hills wrote about SB 79, a bill by state Sen. Scott Wiener full of developer giveaways to build overpriced housing near transit—and make it easier to demolish existing rent-controlled housing. "The state should not take away San Francisco’s ability to protect existing rent controlled housing from demolitions," said Meg Heisler, policy staff with our allies at the San Francisco Anti-Displacement Coalition. "The homes of thousands of tenants will be put at risk. If this amendment is added I have no doubt that we will be adding our voices to oppose this bill." REP-SF member Anastasia Yovanopoulos of the SF Tenants Union said, "The proposed amendment to SB79 will make a dangerous bill even worse for tenants."
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Defending the California Environmental Quality Act!
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On June 30, REP-SF members PODER and South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) went to Sacramento to protect the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)! Advocates spoke in strong opposition to SB 131, which is an unprecedented rollback of California’s environmental and community protections in CEQA. In an era of harmful rollbacks of environmental regulations on the federal level, Californians must not lose their protections under state law. CEQA is key to reducing and mitigating air pollution, water contamination, and climate impacts that often low-income communities of color must live with long after the developers have made their profits and left. Read more in KQED: California Lawmakers Approve Major Overhaul of Landmark Environmental Law
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SF Final Budget: Wins & Losses
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Our allies at the People's Budget Coalition fought hard for a budget that defended critical services our communities depend on. Just after 2 AM on Thursday June 26, Board of Supervisors finalized a revised budget, adding back millions in funds to multiple key sectors of our community. However, this was a far cry from our expectations, and for the norms in our city. The finalized budget comes with the loss of hundreds of union and non-profit jobs. Tens of millions of additional dollars are being cut from community services, immigrant legal support, housing and homeless services, workforce development, and much, much more. It is also deeply concerning to see Mayor demand authority over voter-approved Prop C funding — at 1 AM under the cover of night — which may lead to further rerouting of long-term housing funds towards short-term shelters & interventions. Our fight is not over, and this movement pushes on. Thank you to all of our community members for standing strong. Read more from the People's Budget Coalition. For more, read REP-SF member Senior & Disability Acton (SDA)'s Budget Recap & Reflections and Calls to Action.
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Meet Xavier Davenport from REP-SF Member GLIDE: Rooted in Fillmore & Fighting for Health Equity
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As Testing Program Manager for GLIDE’s HEAT team, Xavier Davenport is breaking cycles he once witnessed growing up in the Fillmore. After serving as a SFPD reservist, he turned his focus to health equity, educating communities of color on STD and Hep C testing, prevention, and the power of early care. Watch now: Learn more about Xavier!
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REP-SF member San Francisco SafeHouse has just published its Summer 2025 Newsletter! Inside, you’ll meet courageous graduates, learn about expanding services at the Hope Center, and see how SafeHouse is responding to shifting public resources with bold advocacy and new programming. SF SafeHouse's work is grounded in the belief that housing is more than just a roof. It’s dignity. It’s safety. It’s the foundation for healing and the launchpad for dreams. This newsletter is a heartfelt reminder of what’s possible when women are given the safety, dignity, and tools to thrive.
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July 11: 35 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act!
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Friday, July 11, 2025 | 3–7PM, Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley
This Disability Pride Month, join REP-SF member Senior & Disability Action (SDA) and allies for a protest-meets-celebration event that will feature art, music, performers, workshops, speakers, an art build and story quilt unveiling, a kids area, food, and more! The event will honor the radical legacies of the Disability Rights movement, uplift strategies from past and present struggles for justice, and build the collective power this moment demands. More info: thecil.org/ada35
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More Than Mere Existence: A Nothing New CALL 4 ART
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For Trans & Queer Artists Fighting for Housing, Land Use & Spatial Justice
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Queerly Complex and REP-SF member People Power Media are collaborating with the Queer Housing Summit to curate "More Than Mere Existence," a community art show showcasing Queer & Trans artists who are in the fight for housing / spatial / land use justice work. Under the “Nothing New” framework, Queer & Trans artists from around the world can submit art that they’ve already made, and it will be showcased at the 3rd Annual Queer Housing Summit in Fresno, CA on August 23rd. SUBMISSIONS CLOSE July 14! Learn more & submit: queerlycomplex.com/more-than-mere-existence
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August 14: SDA's Annual CommUNITY Celebration
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Save the Date: REP-SF member Senior & Disability Action (SDA)’s Annual CommUNITY Celebration will be Thursday, August 14, 6 to 8 pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church (1187 Franklin St, SF). The event will include a variety show, celebrating our communities and collective resistance as we raise money to support our ongoing organizing and education work. Learn more and sign up for volunteer opportunities here!
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August 29: Celebrate SOMCAN's 25th Anniversary!
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Join REP-SF member South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) for its 25th Anniversary celebration at SOMArts Cultural Center on Aug. 29 at 6 pm! Get your tickets now to be part of an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring two and a half decades of advocacy, community service, and collective achievement. Enjoy a night filled with engaging speakers, performances, and opportunities to connect with fellow community members and supporters who share a commitment to uplifting the voices of our most vulnerable neighbors. Get your tickets now! www.somcan.org/25th-anniversary
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Invite Your Communities to Subscribe to Our Newsletter!
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Our monthly Planning to the People newsletter (that you are reading now!) provides the latest news and ways to take action on behalf of grassroots communities for housing justice and equitable city planning – all in one place! Help us build our momentum by encouraging your networks and communities to subscribe to our newsletter: Share our subscription form!
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