Four years ago there were four qualified LGBT candidates vying for an open seat and it was a hard-fought contest with lots of forums and an engaged electorate. Scott Wiener won the race and immediately set about to implement policies that were supported by a great many of his constituents. Wiener is hard working and one of the few board members willing to take on unpopular issues because they needed to be addressed, like the public nudity law. It's telling that this time around, only four minor candidates have filed in the District 8 race. And while progressives don't agree with Wiener most of the time �" and some are downright vulgar in commenting about him �" even they have to acknowledge that he has created programs, particularly for housing, that are aimed at keeping people in their homes and boosting affordable stock. He was at the forefront for backfilling nearly $20 million federal HIV/AIDS funding shortfalls since 2011. Wiener was instrumental in securing money for major neighborhood improvements, like the Castro sidewalk widening project that is almost complete.
All in all, Wiener accomplished much in his first term and he has earned the Bay Area Reporter's endorsement for his re-election.
In his questionnaire, Wiener told us that he has pursued an aggressive policy agenda, focusing mainly on housing, transportation, public health, and public safety.
On housing, perhaps the most critical issue facing San Francisco, Wiener passed legislation to create more affordable housing, create new in-law units, and reduce evictions and displacement. He opposes the Ellis Act, which allows landlords to evict tenants to get out of the rental business. But as most people are aware, despite the best efforts of lawmakers like state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), it is a state law that has resisted repeal, much less amendment. Given this significant restraint, housing advocates and elected officials had to find creative ways to increase the housing stock and keep people in their homes in response to a booming economy and skyrocketing rents.
Of the several pieces of housing-related legislation that Wiener has had passed by the Board of Supervisors, two stand out. First, the affordable housing density bonus relaxes density use limits when at least 20 percent of the project's units are affordable, creating an incentive for developers to include more affordable units in a project. If that's the case, the affordable units don't count against unit density limits. The current 12 percent affordable unit requirement often discourages developers from including more because they would have to eliminate a market-rate unit. Under Wiener's ordinance, the developer can add more affordable units while keeping the same number of market-rate units. It does not change height or bulk limits.
Second, allowing in-law units in the Castro will also increase affordable housing stock, albeit the more modest units are typically a converted garage or basement. Nevertheless, they could be a good alternative for older LGBTs who want to remain independent, students, and others. If units are added to a rent-controlled building they are also rent-controlled.
Speaking of LGBT elders, Wiener, along with Supervisor David Campos and former Supervisor Christina Olague, created an 18-month expert task force to study and offer policy recommendations for this population. There are around 20,000 LGBT seniors in San Francisco, and that number will only increase as the community ages. The LGBT Aging Policy Task Force, which the B.A.R. extensively covered during its existence, was a success, drawing a cross-section of LGBT people to the table, where they held public hearings, conducted a wide-ranging survey, and came up with 18 recommendations. Wiener and Campos are now in the process of drafting legislation to follow up on the report.
Wiener is a strong advocate for public transportation and several of his initiatives address the ever-struggling Muni system (procuring buses, investing more money, improving the J-Church line). He supported a task force that is now looking at late-night transportation. He is committed to enhancing public safety (parking lot safety standards, pedestrian and traffic safety improvements, like the sidewalk widening project). He supports animal welfare by opposing the oppressive dog restrictions proposed by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Of importance to the LGBT community, as well as plenty of other folks in the city, Wiener is a champion of nightlife. He commissioned the city economist to conduct a study, which concluded that nightlife contributes $4.2 billion to San Francisco's economy, provides 48,000 jobs, and generates $55 million in tax revenues. In other words, the nightlife sector is an economic engine for the city, and Wiener wants to make sure that as various components are regulated, they are done so with an eye toward the big picture and not done in isolation. In a related matter, Wiener passed legislation that increased the Entertainment Commission's enforcement power and effectiveness, and created new permits for live music in public spaces.
In his next term, Wiener told us that he wants to continue working for his district, which also includes Noe Valley, Glen Park, Diamond Heights, Corona Heights, Mission Dolores, and Duboce Triangle. He's right that various approaches are needed to stem the housing crisis and to create housing for middle class people. As we've noted before, along with many others, the city's housing stock has not kept up with demand for years and it's not going to be solved by blaming tech workers or opposing every single proposed development.
San Francisco is a collection of unique neighborhoods and that community fabric is one of the great qualities that draws people here. Many small businesses are thriving now that the economy is on the rebound. Successful supervisors strive to improve their districts while at the same time helping and representing the city as a whole. As a gay man representing the district that's home to the Castro, Wiener is well versed in the neighborhood; citywide he is knowledgeable about transportation needs, the importance of big events like Pride, and nightlife.
Some of the challenges that pertain to District 8, especially the Castro, include filling vacant storefronts with non-chain shops to make the neighborhood more robust and continuing to protect renters, particularly those who are most vulnerable such as the disabled, people living with HIV/AIDS, and seniors. Wiener has proved that he is committed to working on all of these issues, and has been extremely effective. Most importantly, he is a tireless advocate for his district and is not afraid to tackle vexing problems.
Wiener is likely to win re-election in November. That we're endorsing him should not be a surprise. He works hard to deliver for District 8.