Family Housing Initiative Generates Strong SupportPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Feb. 15‚ 2008Families from Chinatown, Bayview, the Tenderloin and Mission came to City Hall in droves yesterday to support the Family Housing Initiative which will be on the June 2008 ballot. Stories about family members leaving San Francisco due to overcrowded conditions and insufficient options set the stage for the proposal which encourages private housing developers to make all their affordable units large enough for families. The incentive would provide a small density bonus which does not interfere with additional standards that neighborhood plans may impose on developers. The initiative is not the panacea for addressing the flight of families (or even the affordable housing crisis in general), but its a modest step that would make a real difference. And in the end, something has to be done soon. |