HCD’s comprehensive San Francisco Housing Policy and Practice Review is the first of its kind. It identifies, and seeks to remove, barriers to housing approvals and construction at all income levels. This Review includes findings and Required Actions for San Francisco (City) to take to reform its housing approvals ecosystem and facilitate housing production and is informed by extensive quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Implementing this Review’s Required Actions, as mandated by San Francisco’s adopted housing element, will ensure that San Francisco’s housing approval policies and practices are consistent with state housing laws, follow best practices, and will enable the City to meet the housing needs of residents at all income levels.
HCD partnered with researchers from the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) to conduct an in-depth, year-long analysis of San Francisco’s regulatory regime and entitlement practices. This UCB academic research builds upon prior studies of land use regulation in California led by Moira O’Neill and colleagues. This partnership with UCB ensures an impartial review of San Francisco’s housing approvals process and directly informed HCD’s final report and recommendations.
San Francisco Housing Policy and Practice Review Deliverables:
- HCD San Francisco Housing Policy and Practice Review (PDF)
- UCB Academic Report: Examining Local Law, Policy and Planning Practice on Development in San Francisco Using CALES (PDF)
- CALES Dataset used in UCB Analysis — Coming Soon!
This Review was conducted in accordance with the powers conferred under Government Code section 11180 et seq., which gives HCD the authority to investigate and prosecute actions concerning all matters relating to the business activities and subjects under the jurisdiction of HCD, violations of any law or rule or order of HCD, and such other matters as may be provided by law. This authority includes, but is not limited to, the powers to inspect papers, books, accounts, documents, writings and records, hear complaints, administer oaths, issue subpoenas, propound interrogatories, take sworn testimony in connection with the authorized investigation, designate persons to serve subpoenas, and do all other things authorized under Government Code section 11180 et seq.