SFGov Watch

1. Agenda Item 1: Planning Code Amendment for BMR Owned Units
2. New Asia Senior Housing Special Use District

Agenda Item 1: Planning Code Amendment for BMR Owned Units

Summary of the Ordinance

The first item proposed changes to the resale of Below Market Rate (BMR) units. Spearheaded by Supervisor Melgar, it aimed to allow certain BMR units to be resold at prices affordable to households with a higher AMI than originally prescribed, while ensuring that amenities like parking spaces remain attached upon resale.

Key Issues Discussed

The discussion centered on San Francisco’s affordable housing, particularly BMR units sold years ago. Melgar noted the ordinance addresses a “small but real problem” where higher-priced BMR unit owners struggle to resell due to AMI eligibility limits, leading to potential financial losses.

Peskin expressed concerns about the ordinance’s broader impact, suggesting a “sunset clause” for a city review after three years to prevent unintended consequences.

Melgar acknowledged the need for oversight, proposing annual reports to track repriced units and AMI trends, with a mechanism for hearings if ten or more repricing requests arise in a year. The amendment aims to balance limited unit adjustments while maintaining affordability and aiding homeowners with resale challenges.

Public Commentary

The public comment segment included affordable housing advocates and community organization representatives who supported the measure. John Avalos from the Council of Community Housing Organizations highlighted the financial struggles of BMR homeowners, urging the Committee to prioritize resident interests over market concerns. Overall, public support was strong, with advocates emphasizing the ordinance’s importance for families facing financial burdens from BMR resale constraints.

Committee Action

Ultimately, the Committee voted to amend the ordinance as proposed by Melgar and send it to the full Board of Supervisors for consideration, with the understanding that further adjustments could be made if necessary. They also agreed to duplicate the file and re-evaluate it on November 18 if additional changes were required.

New Asia Senior Housing Special Use District

Summary of the Ordinance

The second item on the agenda involved creating a Special Use District (SUD) to facilitate affordable senior housing at 758 and 772 Pacific Avenue. The ordinance proposed converting these locations into a hub for low-income senior housing, including a restoration of the New Asia banquet hall, a culturally significant venue for Chinatown’s community.

Key Issues Discussed

Supervisor Peskin, the ordinance’s sponsor, presented the ordinance as a critical response to Chinatown’s housing and community needs. Peskin highlighted that Chinatown had seen minimal new affordable housing for seniors in recent decades. The New Asia project would add 175 affordable units for extremely low-income seniors and restore a banquet hall that serves as a social and cultural gathering space for the Chinese community.

Melgar and Preston expressed strong support, recognizing the cultural importance of the banquet hall. Melgar noted that this project uniquely preserves community traditions and promotes social equity by enabling Chinatown’s seniors to remain in their neighborhood.

Funding and Development Challenges

Sheila Nicolopoulos from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development discussed the funding challenges for the New Asia project, noting $4.1 million was committed for pre-development and $3 million for acquiring adjacent property, but funding gaps remained. She confirmed the city would explore alternative funding methods due to the site’s “non-high resource area” designation, and outlined a construction timeline of three to five years.

Community and Advocate Input

Community voices emphasized the project’s significance to Chinatown. Local representatives called for culturally sensitive affordable housing and pointed out the banquet hall’s role in fostering social ties and providing jobs. Advocates viewed the project as essential in addressing the shortage of low-income senior housing in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

There was strong community support, with Malcolm Young, Executive Director of Chinatown Community Development Center, noting the project’s potential to enhance the neighborhood economy as it recovers from the pandemic.

Committee Action

Following community support, the Committee agreed to forward the ordinance to the Board with a positive recommendation, emphasizing the project’s urgency and its expected impact on Chinatown’s aging population.