John, 

There’s been a lot of talk about 730 Stanyan Street, the location of the former McDonald’s site in Haight Ashbury. 

Recently, the debate has been over the “safe sleeping” tent site—specifically over its hurried implementation. I can only say that as a long-time neighborhood activist, City Hall aide, and later Supervisor, I learned to take community input on every decision I made. It’s that collaborative record that earned me a reputation at City Hall as a consensus builder. 

But here’s what’s getting lost in the discussion: this site is to become 100% permanently affordable housing for working families, and a pathway out homelessness.

What was once an eyesore and a hotspot for crime, will become new affordable housing right in the heart of the Haight. The site offers lessons on how we can tackle our housing and homeless crises. It’s just the beginning, there are dozens of locations in District 5 that could provide thousands of new housing units. 

Take 3 minutes, read my piece on Medium and share it with your neighbors.

In community,

-Vallie