KQED Voter Guide: San Francisco Proposition D

Should San Francisco law be changed to streamline the approval process for certain types of housing projects that are either 100% affordable, reserved for teachers, or are mostly market rate, but include at least 15% more below-market-rate units than the city would otherwise require under its current affordability mandates? Explore KQED's full 2022 California voter guide.

Yes Argument

This measure would help developers build much-needed middle-income housing more quickly by removing bureaucratic roadblocks that often add years to the approval process. Right now, it takes the city an average of 4 to 7 years to approve the construction of new homes, a formidable delay that will prevent it from meeting its statement-mandated goal of building 82,000 new homes by 2031. Proposition D will also make sure developers pay construction workers family-supporting prevailing wages.

No Argument

This measure sets its definition of “affordable housing” far too high — at 140% of median San Francisco income. That would mean that a one-bedroom apartment renting for nearly $4,000 a month would be considered affordable under the measure. Furthermore, by streamlining the approval process, residents won’t have the opportunity to push for changes to the project at key public meetings.

Key Supporters

• London Breed, mayor, San Francisco
• Matt Dorsey, supervisor, San Francisco
• Scott Wiener, state senator
• SF YIMBY

Key Opponents

• San Francisco Building Trades
• San Francisco Democratic Party
• San Francisco Labor Council
• United Educators of San Francisco