Policy Innovation
From “Measure to End Homelessness Headed for November SF Ballot” Image by Joseph Smooke
Equity in land use is possible. We have the solutions.
Housing we can all afford. Stable and vibrant neighborhoods. Communities that were historically marginalized leading decision-making. Racial, social, and economic equity at the city planning level. People Power Media has the policy solutions to create lasting, systemic change to achieve all of these seemingly lofty goals.
We draw on community expertise through the Race & Equity in all Planning Coalition, and our own deep knowledge and experience in affordable housing development, community organizing, political science, and urban planning, and work within City Hall and electoral campaigns, to innovate policy solutions that are realistic, scalable and empowering. Explore our solutions!
Created by and with the grassroots communities of San Francisco
Solutions for real community planning, affordable housing including funding, and tenant and neighborhood stabilization.
Jose Luis Mejia of Coleman Advocates for Children & Youth at Rally for REP-SF Citywide People’s Plan, Nov. 2022
Dyan Ruiz, Co-Founder of People Power Media Presenting Equity Actions to SF Board of Supervisors, Nov. 2022
Our Record of Policy Innovation
Our staff has worked on advancing innovative policies for People Power Media, as community advocates, and as legislative aides to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Equity Actions in San Francisco Housing Element
Wrote and advocated to get dozens of equity-focused actions in the San Francisco Housing Element, which guides the city’s housing policies from 2023-2031. The equity actions were based on the REP-SF Citywide People’s Plan.
SOMA Pilipinas Strategy Report
Led community engagement for the Filipino Cultural Heritage District, SOMA Pilipinas’, Cultural, History, Housing, and Economic Sustainability Strategy Report (CHHESS), and was the lead writer for the report itself, resulting in SOMA Pilipinas being the first cultural district in San Francisco to get this report passed.
Co-Chair of the Policy Committee of the San Francisco Anti-Displacement Coalition
Staff currently co-leads collective action for policies promoting strong tenant protections and other strategies for community stability at the SF Anti-Displacement Coalition.
Co-Authored Book on Landlord Technology its Current Impacts on Displacement
Wrote an essay with the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project about how technology platforms have enabled tenant displacement and homeowners to become priced out, along with strategies for fighting back. The essay is part of a forthcoming book being published in 2025.
Converting Existing Buildings into Affordable Housing
Ideated legislation in 2008 called the "small sites" program for nonprofits to acquire existing apartment buildings to convert these units into permanently affordable housing. This pioneering legislation has been replicated in many other cities.
Community Opportunity to Purchase Act
Following up on the creation of the "small sites" program, we worked in 2016 to create the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) that gives nonprofit affordable housing developers a priority negotiating position to acquire these apartment buildings.
Regulating Corporate Rentals
Research contributed to legislation in 2020 regulating Intermediate Length Occupancy, corporate rentals that take over the city’s housing stock.
Healthcare Services Master Plan
Ideated the concept of a Healthcare Services Master Plan in 2009 which ensures accountability for healthcare accessibility throughout San Francisco.
Public Land to House the Homeless
Helped create a requirement for public lands in 2006 to first be developed as supportive housing for people who are homeless.
Our Policy Wonks Know When Decision-Makers are Screwing You Over
We know that the devil is in the details. In coalition with community members, People Power Media meticulously tracks land use legislation at the state and local level, and advocates for changes when proposals endanger our communities. We got your back!
We do workshops.
We specialize in designing and facilitating popular education workshops for organizations and community leaders on affordable housing solutions, community planning, and why housing is so expensive based on our award-winning animation "Priced Out.”
People Power Starts With You
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