Supervisor Preston Introduces Resolution to Support Senate Bill 1218 (Sanders), the Green New Deal for Public Housing

Supervisor Preston has introduced a resolution in support of Senate Bill 1218, the Green New Deal for Public Housing, by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The bill will provide economic empowerment opportunities in the United States through the modernization of public housing and will vastly improve the state of public housing while increasing the number of units available.
“Passage of this bill to substantially improve and expand public housing for the first time in generations would take us a big step closer to making housing a human right in this country while investing in upgrades that will improve public housing for residents and the environment,” said Supervisor Dean Preston, a tenant lawyer and affordable housing advocate for 20 years before being elected to office. 
The bill aims to address the climate and public housing crises by implementing highly energy-efficient developments. Data for Progress research found that a 10-year mobilization of up to $172 billion would retrofit over 1 million public housing units, cut 5.6 million tons of annual carbon emissions, and create over 240,000 jobs per year. The bill will have massive economic benefits for the country while also improving the living conditions of nearly 2 million residents.
Supervisor Preston’s resolution comes after Supervisor Preston worked with the National Housing Law Project to pass a unanimous resolution just weeks ago calling for the San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) to fully leverage the “Faircloth-to-RAD” option provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) to create up to 3,668 new deeply affordable rental units with a permanent federal subsidy in San Francisco. Senate Bill 1218 would repeal the Faircloth Amendment, which currently caps the construction of new public housing developments, an important step toward providing affordable housing for all.
“In these difficult times, we must move forward boldly to address the systemic and existential crises facing us today, and that includes urgently combating climate change and making sure every American has a safe and decent place to call home,” said Sen. Sanders in his statement announcing the bill. “It is unacceptable that, on a single given night in America, over 650,000 people are homeless. It is unacceptable that, in the richest country in the history of the world, people are choosing between paying rent and putting food on the table. It is unacceptable that our nation’s public housing is in a state of chronic disrepair and energy inefficiency after generations of government neglect.”
“Years of grassroots organizing on behalf of vulnerable Americans led to the creation of the first federal public housing units but for decades the federal government has allowed our limited public housing stock to fall into disrepair. Residents are dealing with mold growth, lead-based paint hazards, lack of central cooling and heating, failing water infrastructure, and numerous other safety concerns. It is beyond time for the federal government to take responsibility and pass legislation that offers comprehensive, public solutions,” said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. “The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act will allow for an increase in public housing units, create an estimated 280,000 jobs, and invest up to $23 billion a year over ten years for highly energy-efficient developments.”
San Francisco’s 2022 Housing Element mandated the construction of 46,500 units of affordable housing by 2031. Furthermore, it formally recognizes housing as a right that is foundational for health, social, and economic well-being.
“The passage of US Senate Bill 1218 is in the best interest of the city so that we can meet our affordable housing goals while also expanding San Franciscan’s access to quality public housing,” said Supervisor Preston.