District 5 in less than 5 minutes – here’s the TLDR of this newsletter:
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One City Shelter Act - Amendments to my legislation to ensure homeless resources make it to those most in need without overburdening neighborhoods that are overconcentrated were approved by the Budget and Finance Committee. This will go to the full Board for a vote on July 29th.
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Government is cool, just ask our interns! Want to volunteer/intern with my office? There’s no better time than the present, so sign up here.
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We celebrated the 35th anniversary of the ADA with a special commendation for Alice Wong, a disability rights and justice advocate known globally
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New to District 5: Apple Cinema on 1000 Van Ness and the Disability Cultural District are now open!
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Our new D5 Scout Squad is going into the district to proactively make our streets safer and cleaner by logging graffiti, dangerous sidewalks, and more into 311.
Keep reading for more 👇
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Dear Neighbor,
Over 75% of all homeless shelters in the entire City are concentrated in just 8 out of San Francisco's 41 neighborhoods — meaning for decades, a select few of neighborhoods have borne the brunt of responsibility in addressing this homeless crisis, while large swaths of service deserts in the city leave unsheltered residents without access to life-saving resources.
As a city, we must do better.
This week, I introduced amendments to the One City Shelter Act — an evidence-based, equity-centered approach to solving homelessness as one city.
The One City Shelter Act uses a first-of-its-kind data-driven approach to address our homelessness crisis in two ways:
1️⃣ Prioritizes shelter in neighborhoods where the shelter capacity is lower than the percentage of unsheltered need.
2️⃣ Establishes buffer zones in the 8 neighborhoods that have an oversupply of shelter relative to need, and instead requires a vote from the board to approve shelter if it's in the public interest.
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Legislation takes time for a reason; reasonable, measured impact doesn’t happen alone.
This legislation is the result of a coalition of support, from the SF Democratic Party to the Chamber of Commerce and Bay Area Council to labor groups like Local 87, Local 5, and Local 2.
This collaborative process wouldn’t be possible without my cosponsors Supervisors Walton, Dorsey, Sauter, Melgar, and Fielder, and to Chair Chan and Engardio for voting for the amended legislation.
I’m confident this broad support will help push this legislation to the finish line. If you’d like to show support, I invite you to join the final Budget and Finance vote before advancing this legislation to the full board this upcoming Wednesday at 10:00 AM.
This is a pivotal time in our city’s history and I hope you’ll join me in shaping a more equitable and dignified future for all. |
PermitSF
Why is it so hard to operate a small business in San Francisco?
One word: Overregulation.
In this city, we regulate everything — from the font size of interior signs to window sign placement.
In last week’s Land Use and Transportation Committee, we took a step toward cutting the red tape by voting in favor of PermitSF legislation, sponsored by Mayor Lurie and cosponsor by me. This legislation will make it easier for small businesses to do what they do best — provide the best experiences the city has to offer.
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Public Safety Check
District 5 has lost 5 police captains in the last six months.
Steady leadership in police districts provides a sense of normalcy, ensures consistency in strategy and operations, and importantly, helps build trust with the communities they serve.
That’s why I’ve submitted a Letter of Inquiry to the San Francisco Police Department to understand why this is happening and what steps they’re taking to improve retention.
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Here's a glimpse of some of our wonderful summer interns! We have 9 rotating interns helping with constituent emails, managing 311 requests, and staffing community events.
Want to be an intern in our Fall cohort? Apply here!
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Disability Rights Advocate Alice Wong
This week, I had the profound privilege of commending Alice Wong, a visionary leader, cultural organizer, and one of the most powerful voices in the disability justice movement. Through her leadership, writing, and activism, she has empowered the voices of individuals with disabilities throughout the nation. By founding groundbreaking initiatives such as CripTheVote and Access Is Love, her unwavering commitment to equity and collective liberation stands as a powerful testament to the soul of San Francisco. Thank you, Alice, for being you.
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Apple Cinemas Now Open!
Apple Cinemas is officially open in the Tenderloin! And what better way to celebrate than by watching the new Superman movie with the Boys and Girls Club!
We’re thrilled to welcome Apple Cinemas to the neighborhood, bringing wholesome, family-friendly fun for all to enjoy.
This opening was made possible by Conditional Use reform legislation I co-sponsored with Supervisors Sherrill and Souter earlier this year. Our work streamlines and shortens the process for businesses like this to open, helping to revitalize our neighborhoods more quickly.
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Disability Cultural Center
The first-of-its-kind Disability Cultural Center celebrated its grand opening this week in District 5! This is a community space that promotes inclusion and belonging for all. We celebrated not only the opening of this incredible facility, but the example it sets for other cities on how to create spaces for all of us. This innovative space was brought to our community by the Department of Disability and Aging Services.
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Win of the Week: The Early Bird Gets the Blight
This week marked week two of dispatching our D5 Scout Squad, a new program where interns head into the field to catch the small things that often slip through the cracks, like graffiti on city buildings or even a tagged tree in the neighborhood.
This isn’t just cleanup. It’s a shift. We’re moving from reactive to proactive, taking care of District 5 before the complaints come in.
Big thanks to DPW for being an incredible partner in turning these reports into real results.
Want to help? Download the SF 311 app and join the effort!
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Need help? Don’t hesitate to reach out at MahmoodStaff@sfgov.org. We’re here to serve!
Let’s work together to make District 5 a better place for all.
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