By Rachel Lampert
Recently in San Fransico a Suprovisor by the name of Dean Preston has been in some hot water. This past June a pro-development organization known as the “Housing Action Coalition” executive director Corey Smith pushed for a writ of mandate. According to (West Coast stations and Q.E.D.) – Katie DeBenedetti says. “San Francisco Department of Elections to remove a line from Preston’s candidate statement saying that he has voted to approve 30,000 units of housing during his tenure. Smith argued the number was closer to 14,000, a claim that Preston had dismissed as a publicity stunt that was “splitting hairs” over his housing record.”
This later has caused more controversy. The report accuses Preston of market-rate housing which is defined as removing existing tenants as well as leading to a decline in the diversity of a neighborhood. Preston soon defends his claims as said by the same article. He writes. “The fact is that my housing record — available in public records — includes stopping thousands of evictions in our city, taxing billionaires to the tune of over $300 million since I took office, and approving 30,000 new homes, 86% affordable.” Smith continued to accuse Preston after these statements were made. He mentions how Preston was marking up the cost of homes and using 8,000 hotel rooms for individuals to stay. Smith also says. They are “not real homes.”
Right now, the judge Richard. B Ulmer had written in his ruling. “Approval of Prop. K by Preston and his board colleagues were step one to the other approvals.” Smith currently still disagrees with the court’s decision to pass this issue. He replied via email by saying. “I’m disappointed in the decision and think Preston’s votes opposing housing speaks for itself.”
References:
DeBenedetti, K. (2024, July 29). YIMBY lawsuit over SF Supervisor Dean Preston’s housing record is thrown out. KQED. https://www.kqed.org/news/11997837/yimby-lawsuit-over-sf-supervisor-dean-prestons-housing-record-is-thrown-out