Member, Board of Supervisors City and County of San Francisco

District 3

Julie Christensen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gary McCoy

April 28, 2015 gary.mccoy@sfgov.org

(415) 554-7451

SUPERVISOR CHRISTENSEN TO ANNOUNCE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND RENT

CONTROLLED HOUSING IN DISTRICT 3, INCLUDING CHINATOWN, NORTH

BEACH AND TELEGRAPH HILL

Legislation to allow construction of new accessory dwelling units (ADUs) – which are the most

affordable non-subsidized housing options and create new rent-controlled units – will be allowed

throughout District 3

San Francisco, CA – Today Supervisor Julie Christensen will announce new legislation

tincreasing new rent-controlled housing in San Francisco’s District 3 for the first time since 1979.

These units, known as “Accessory Dwelling Units” or ADUs, will be constructed within existing

buildings and will be rent-controlled if constructed within buildings that are currently rent-

controlled.

“This legislation will not only provide more affordable housing options in an already dense district,

but will also provide affordable options for seniors and those with disabilities by adding rent-

controlled units in the ground floors of much of our existing housing stock,” stated Supervisor

Christensen. “District 3 has experienced a rapid decline in available affordable housing. Retention

of low-income and middle-income units, and units available to seniors has been one of my top

priorities since assuming office in January.”

A wide body of literature has examined the affordability of ADUs and has concluded that these

units are significantly more affordable than other apartments, due to several factors: no new land

is required, the buildings are already built, the entitlement process is shorter, and most supportive

infrastructure is already in place. The creation of these units will add new housing without

changing the feel and character of the neighborhood.

Supervisor Christensen joins with Supervisor Scott Wiener, who has passed legislation to allow

for the construction of ADUs in the Castro and in properties undergoing seismic retrofits citywide,

and recently introduced legislation to allow ADUs to be built throughout District 8. “Our

affordability crisis requires a broad range of housing solutions, and I’m excited to see Supervisor

Christensen bringing this commonsense approach to expanding housing in the city. I hope others

will follow her lead to increase housing in our neighborhoods in a low-impact and sustainable

way.”

Other provisions of the legislation will include: the units must be built within the envelope of

the existing building (ie, no physical expansion of the building's height or bulk), units will typically

Member, Board of Supervisors City and County of San Francisco

District 3

be a minimum of 220 square feet, and units cannot be created by subdividing a current unit. Each

unit will be required to have its own kitchen and bathroom.

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