REP-SF Planning to the People Newsletter: March 2026
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We're excited to share that we held our annual REP-SF Retreat last Friday! We spent a beautiful and energizing day celebrating the impact of our advocacy, reflecting on the progress we've made together, and strategizing for the year ahead. Together, we're continuing to build our collective power and advance our vision of a more equitable and truly affordable city. Thank you to all of our REP-SF members who joined us!
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REP-SF featured! You may have heard the news that YIMBY groups are suing San Francisco, arguing that the Mayor’s upzoning plan does not go far enough. Joseph Smooke, co-founder of People Power Media and an organizer with REP-SF, was quoted in KQED, highlighting the REP-SF coalition’s analysis that the Family Upzoning Plan will increase real estate speculation and accelerate the displacement of tenants and small businesses across the city. Smooke said not everyone in San Francisco wants to live in a high-rise condo tower, and most people can’t afford to live in them, but that is exclusively the type of housing the YIMBYs are trying to force the City to build. He explained that if people are displaced because their neighborhoods become too expensive due to new development, it will be hard for them to find a more affordable rental in the city.
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SF Is Not Delivering on Truly Affordable Housing
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Supervisor Chyanne Chen warns that the City risks falling short of its state mandate to build nearly 47,000 affordable homes by 2031. An article in SF Business Times reports on Supervisor Chen’s letter to the Planning Commission about the Affordable Housing Circuit Breaker – Housing Element Action 8.1.10. This action, which took effect on Jan. 31, 2026, requires the City to increase funding and pursue additional sites when affordable housing goals are not met.
REP-SF appreciates Supervisor Chen's leadership on this issue, and we support her demands for the City to comply with the Housing Element and meet the needs of our communities. Public investment in truly affordable and dignified housing is essential to creating and sustaining stable and inclusive communities.
The City is not developing the affordable housing we were promised – and has no plan to build the 47,000 affordable homes mandated in the current Housing Element. We urge the City to increase local funding and pursue additional state funding for affordable housing, and to pursue additional land banking strategies for affordable housing.
Supervisor Chen’s letter states that the Housing Element includes over 216 policies aimed at advancing equity and increasing public investment in affordable housing. Sup. Chen said, “I am disappointed to see that implementation of these equity-oriented policy actions has been incomplete, opaque and often delayed.” We also urge the City to implement these equity-based provisions that are critical and overdue.
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Historic UESF Strike: Win for Educators!
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Statement from REP-SF members Coleman Advocates, PODER, CUHJ & SOMCAN and our allies 5 Elements Youth Collective:
"When Public Education is under attack, what do we do?! STAND UP, FIGHT BACK! Community Solidarity is the key to winning! After 4 days of pickets and rallies, United Educators of San Francisco (UESF) and SFUSD reached a tentative agreement on the contract...A teacher's working conditions are a student's learning conditions, and if a teacher doesn't feel supported, a student doesn't feel supported. But now, Educators have seen San Francisco pull up to the pickets in solidarity with their demands and were able to WIN!"
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REP-SF Members: Community Heroes
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$ave the Climate Action Plan Rally
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Last Wednesday, February 25, REP-SF members South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) and PODER led a climate action rally with the SF Climate Emergency Coalition, IFPTE Local 21, and other environmental justice, labor, and community groups. Over the last four years, SF’s climate funding has been slashed by 80%. This funding goes toward crucial programs like the Climate Equity Hub that work to improve health and asthma rates across the city. These cuts will harm communities of color like the Bayview, Mission, Excelsior, and SOMA that have been overburdened with toxic chemicals and pollution. Read more in SF Public Press. Photo above by Luke Thibault (IFPTE Local 21).
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SF People's Budget: Join the Budget Fight!
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San Francisco is cutting OVER $100M from housing, health, workforce, climate programs, and MORE! While federal policies are slashing funds for crucial support services across the country, San Francisco is planning to balance its budget on the backs of our city’s working-class families, seniors, immigrants, and community service providers. These cuts, if passed, will leave deep scars to already underserved communities.
Our allied coalition, SF People’s Budget Coalition, is comprised of 150+ unions, groups, and community service orgs representing San Francisco’s diverse & marginalized communities. Join the BUDGET FIGHT today! We need your help fighting these cuts!
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March 6: MEDA Neighborhood Impact Tour
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This Friday, March 6, walk the Mission with MEDA! REP-SF member Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) is hosting immersive walking tours in the Mission District, showcasing MEDA's legacy in action—from affordable housing developments to thriving small businesses and community spaces. Space is limited; sign up today!
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March 7–8: Chinese New Year Parade & Community Street Fair
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This weekend, join REP-SF member Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC) for the Chinese New Year Parade and Community Street Fair on March 7 & 8! Staff and youth from CCDC's Youth Program will have two booths at the Community Street Fair. The bilingual Housing Counseling Team will also have a booth to raise awareness of available resources. You are invited to celebrate the new year, support vendors, and stop by CCDC's booths to get more information!
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March 12: Queers And Comrades Reading Club
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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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