Planning Commission Endorses Citywide Accessory Unit Legalization

Three ordinances to legalize accessory units (also known as in-law units) citywide were approved by the Planning Commission this week. Two would allow new housing units in existing buildings citywide. The third would facilitate the legalization of existing units originally built without permits. On Thursday June 16, the Planning Commission recommended  two ordinances that would permit new in-law units in existing buildings…

2015 in Review: The Year in Livability

San Francisco faced big challenges with equity and affordability in 2015. Still, the city made major progress by building and preserving affordable housing, planning better neighborhoods, reclaiming streets for people, making room for nature, lessening automobile dependence, and fostering a shift towards sustainable transportation. Let’s take a look at the year in livability: San Francisco’s Voice for…

Converting Garages in San Francisco

In a city where housing is increasingly scarce and expensive, and where commercial rents are skyrocketing, converting garage spaces to new housing and storefronts can help make space for residents and neighborhood-serving small businesses. Converting garages can also improve neighborhood livability by restoring features like front gardens, green backyards, front porches, storefronts, building lobbies, street trees, and even…

Preserve Existing Rental Housing

This post appeared in the SF Bay Guardian in January 14. San Francisco’s housing affordability crisis has become the main threat to the livability of the city for hundreds of thousands of residents. One glimmer of hope came last month, as the Board of Supervisors reformed decades-old laws that permit, and often encourage, the loss…

Get in Touch

Staff Directory

Darin Ow-Wing, Executive Director
darin@livablecity.org

Jessica Tovar, Program Director
jessica@livablecity.org

Sally Chen, Deputy Director
sally@livablecity.org

Tom Radulovich, Senior Policy Fellow
tom@livablecity.org

Isaac Santiago, Sunday Streets Program Manager isaac@livablecity.org

Reina Terry, Program & Development Associate, reina@livablecity.org