Maxwell would expand inclusionary housing ordinance

January 25, 2006

San Francisco's inclusionary housing ordinance would be expanded under legislation introduced yesterday by Supervisor Sophie Maxwell.

The District 11 supervisor explained the measure during Roll Call for Introductions Tuesday of the Board of Supervisors 2:00 p.m.

"Clearly we are not meeting the needs of our residents," maintained Maxwell.

"Number one, under current law there is no standard process by which developers market their affordable units. And there are questions as to whether or not everyone is getting a fair shot at these units.

"This ordinance would address that issue by requiring the use a public lottery at the initial offerings of affordable housing units in a project, and a list maintained by the Mayor's Office of Housing whenever units become available in the future.

"Currently developers who choose to meet their inclusionary housing obligations by building units off-site have the ability to place those units anywhere in the city.

"As a result we are seeing the economic segregation of our city with isolated market rate units in one neighborhood and isolated affordable units in another neighborhood.

"This ordinance would address that problem by requiring that all off-site units are located within one mile of the project.

"Number three, under current law developers may choose how to meet their inclusionary housing requirements including the units onsite, off-site or paying the fee as late as when they pull building permits.

"This creates uncertainty for the city and hinders our ability to plan for our affordable housing needs.

"This ordinance will address that issue by requiring that project sponsors disclose how they plan to meet their inclusionary housing obligations when they appear before the Planning Commission for project approval."

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