Social and Racial Equity

Goal ECS-2:

South San Francisco is a leader in incorporating equity considerations into policies, programs, and procedures.

Intent:

To advance equity within City systems and processes.

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Policy ECS-2.1: Increase internal capacity for equity.

Increase the City’s internal organizational capacity to advance racial and social equity.

• Action ECS-2.1.1: Maintain dedicated staff for equity and inclusion.

  Maintain a dedicated staff position (e.g., an Equity and Inclusion Officer) to institutionalize accountability, advance equity initiatives, and monitor equity-related outcomes throughout South San Francisco.

• Action ECS-2.1.2: Join a national race and equity network membership.

  Join the Government Alliance on Race and Equity or a similar national network, such as the Living Cities “Closing the Gaps” network.

• Action ECS-2.1.3: Partner regionally to support equity priorities.

  Work closely with other jurisdictions in San Mateo County and throughout the Bay Area to build capacity on racial and social equity, and to advance regional equity priorities.

• Action ECS-2.1.4: Create equity trainings for City staff.

  Create equity trainings and require that City staff from all departments take part in capacity building trainings to equip them to understand and apply an equity lens in their day-to-day work.

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Policy ECS-2.2:  Implement programs and procedures to advance racial and social equity.

• Action ECS-2.2.1: Implement Racial and Social Equity Action Plan.

  Implement the 2021 South San Francisco Racial and Social Equity Action Plan.

• Action ECS-2.2.2: Develop standardized reporting.

  Develop a standardized approach to tracking data to address racial and social inequities. 

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Policy ECS-2.3: Conduct equity assessment for policies and ordinances.

Conduct a racial equity impact assessment for policies and ordinances that the City Council is considering in a timely manner.

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Policy ECS-2.4: Institutionalize equity in departmental operations.

Institutionalize equity by all City department leads working with the Equity and Inclusion Officer in identifying opportunities to increase racial and social equity in internal and external practices, programs, and policies. 

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Policy ECS-2.5: Provide inclusive communications.

Reflect the languages, cultures, and ethnicities found in the South San Francisco community in promotional materials and library collections.

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Policy ECS-2.6: Reduce documentation for services.

Minimize the documentation required to access supportive services (e.g., driver’s license, lease, pay stubs) to reduce barriers to seeking and utilizing services, including eliminating requirements whenever possible.

Goal ECS-3:

South San Francisco equitably provides public services for all residents.

Intent:

To advance distributional equity in the City’s budget and resources allocation so that so all residents can engage in educational, recreational, and community-building opportunities.

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Policy ECS-3.1: Ensure equitable distribution of opportunities.

Ensure accessible public facilities and services are equitably distributed throughout the city and are provided in a timely manner to keep pace with new development.

• Action ECS-3.1.1: Expand placement of events.

  Program community events, special programs, festivals, and classes at parks, libraries, and public gathering spaces throughout the city, and especially in disadvantaged communities, either funded by the City or in partnership with community organizations.

• Action ECS-3.1.2: Expand Internet connectivity.

  Offer free high-speed internet inside and outside City facilities, especially in disadvantaged communities.

• Action ECS-3.1.3: Explore Downtown Community Resource Center.

  Study the feasibility of a Community Resource Center in Downtown where multiple services will be offered.

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Policy ECS-3.2: Meet community needs for programing and services.

In partnership with community members, adapt City programming and services as needed to ensure they meet the community’s needs, based on continued monitoring of demographic, socio-economic characteristics, and intellectual and developmental disabilities and needs.

• Action ECS-3.2.1: Conduct ongoing evaluation of services.

  Regularly evaluate impact of public investments to ensure equitable distribution of services and programming moving forward. 

• Action ECS-3.2.2: Pilot equitable involvement in services.

  Identify and pilot new ways to engage young people and their families who have not previously participated in City-run enrichment programs. Ensure that young people, especially youth of color and youth from other historically disenfranchised communities, are involved in City-run enrichment programs. 

• Action ECS-3.2.3: Target locations of services.

  Use targeted locations and coordinate with existing programs and organizations to strengthen youth development opportunities specifically for youth of color and youth from other historically disenfranchised communities.

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Policy ECS-3.3: Consider expanding Universal Basic Income Pilot.

Consider expanding the City’s Universal Basic Income Pilot to support low-income households with meeting basic needs.

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Policy ECS-3.4: Develop community benefits agreements program.

Develop a community benefits agreement for major private development projects, which may include affordable housing, job training funds, housing assistance, and/or local hiring to support disadvantaged communities.

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Policy ECS-3.5: Develop and promote small businesses.

Foster small business development for low-income residents and residents of color with educational resources, permitting information, and services that can promote long term success in the City.

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Policy ECS-3.6: Enhance language accessibility for City programs and services.

Enhance language accessibility for all City programs and services and provide opportunities for City staff to enhance language competence.

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Policy ECS-3.7: Support age-friendly initiatives.

Support policies and programs to create age-friendly environments that nurture health and well-being.

• Action ECS-3.7.1: Pursue age-friendly community designation.

  Initiate a collaborative, cross-department initiatives to become an age-friendly community in partnership with San Mateo County and the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence.

Goal ECS-4:

South San Francisco provides well-maintained and sustainable facilities to meet the needs of current and future residents.

Intent:

To ensure that the community is provided with facilities that meet its diverse needs and interests.

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Policy ECS-4.1: Sustain facility maintenance staffing targets.

Strive to achieve a ratio of 1.0 full time equivalent custodian (porter) per 25,000 square feet and 1 full time equivalent maintenance staff person (for repairs and system maintenance) per 50,000 square feet of building area to ensure every neighborhood is well-served, especially disadvantaged communities.

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Policy: ECS-4.2: Maintain existing and future city facilities.

Fund adequate resources to maintain existing and future facilities, especially in disadvantaged communities. Continue to reinvest in existing facilities to extend their useful lifetimes.

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Policy ECS-4.3: Identify reductions to long term operations and maintenance costs.

Identify ways to reduce the City’s long-term operations and maintenance costs, such as adapting more energy efficient technologies for facilities, using low water landscape palettes, and using recycled water for irrigation. Reinvest these future savings into additional equitable community services.

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Policy ECS-4.4: Integrate sustainable landscape strategies.

Integrate sustainability strategies into City‐owned landscapes to improve water quality, reduce the need to irrigate landscapes, and lower water costs.

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Policy ECS-4.5: Activate City facilities.

Seek to activate City-owned facilities with educational, recreational, and community-building programs as much of the day as possible to best serve residents across the City, and especially low-income households.

Goal ECS-5:

The City provides high-quality educational opportunities for all children and youth by maintaining a positive relationship with the South San Francisco Unified School District.

Intent:

To enhance the quality of educational opportunities through partnerships, programming, and data sharing.

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Policy ECS-5.1: Develop partnerships for education.

Develop formalized partnerships with local businesses and non-profit organizations to support South San Francisco Unified School District students, particularly disadvantaged communities as identified in the Community Health and Environmental Justice Element and underserved groups.

• Action ECS-5.1.1: Collaborate with life sciences industry.

  Continue to partner with life science companies and associations to provide South San Francisco Unified School District students with internships, science awards, and upgraded lab equipment. Partner with life science companies to provide job training for current residents through Life Science Associations.

• Action ECS-5.1.2: Identify special education opportunities.

  Partner with life science companies and art organizations to provide special education students with internships, awards, and equipment in order to provide high-quality special education to South San Francisco children and youth.

• Action ECS-5.1.3: Expand arts education partnerships.

  Develop partnerships with art organizations and associations to provide students with internships, awards, and upgraded visual and performing arts equipment.

• Action ECS-5.1.4: Mitigate summer learning slide.

  Develop partnerships with San Mateo County and local libraries to provide summer learning and Big Lift Inspiring Summers learning and literacy support for local students.

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Policy ECS-5.2: Provide a variety of youth programming.

Provide a variety of programming to ensure all children and youth in South San Francisco have educational and recreational opportunities, particularly disadvantaged communities as identified in the Community Health and Environmental Justice Element and underserved groups.

• Action ECS-5.2.1: Target placement of programming.

  Provide youth development programming in neighborhoods with high proportions of young people, especially low-income youth and youth of color.

• Action ECS-5.2.2: Create summer internship pilot.

  Pilot summer youth/teen internship program within South San Francisco City departments, with targeted recruitment of low-income youth and youth of color, to address opportunity gaps via exposure to government.

• Action ECS-5.2.3: Create youth pilot programs to address resource gaps.

  Meaningfully engage low-income students, students of color, and other historically disenfranchised community members to identify specific resource gaps (e.g., internet access and digital literacy) in the community. Pilot youth programming to address specific resource gaps or barriers.

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Policy ECS-5.3: Maintain a data sharing agreement with South San Francisco Unified School District.

Maintain a continuous exchange of information with the South San Francisco Unified School District on projected growth of the city.

Goal ECS-6:

South San Francisco promotes community safety and a sense of belonging for all residents.

Intent:

To increase trust and community dialogue between public safety departments and communities of color.

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Policy ECS-6.1: Improve public safety.

Seek to improve public safety, especially for communities of color.

• Action ECS-6.1.1: Maintain community fire stations.

  Maintain equitable distribution of Fire Stations so that each neighborhood is equally and adequately served.

• Action ECS-6.1.2: Establish Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board.

  Establish a Community Safety and Equity Advisory Board to review data, provide recommendations, and build trust. The Board may make recommendations related to public safety or to any equity issue throughout City departments and programs.

• Action ECS-6.1.3: Strengthen community cohesion through engagement with Police and Fire.

  Strengthen community cohesion through community engagement efforts to build cross-cultural trust between the Police and Fire Departments and residents of color and low-income residents.

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For related implementation actions related to public safety, see Policy CHEJ-1.2.

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Policy ECS-6.2 Develop and expand diversion programs.

Identify and implement resources, programs, and partnerships to successfully support diversion and reentry efforts for justice-involved youth and young adults. 

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Policy ECS-6.3: Develop partnerships for referrals.

Continue to develop and partner with community-based organizations, the County, and neighboring jurisdictions to develop referral services and harm-reduction systems that facilitate access to resources and economic opportunities.

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Policy ECS-6.4: Support reentry and restorative justice programs.

Encourage and support efforts that foster an inclusive community and help reintegrate formerly incarcerated persons into positions of employment and positive roles in the community (including working with local employers).

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Policy ECS-6.5: Enhance programs for unhoused population.

Build on and enhance existing strategies and planning for addressing the unhoused population, including prevention, services, access to mental health services, and necessary facilities.

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Policy ECS-6.6: Minimize surveillance.

Minimize surveillance and ensure security of resident data in the transition towards building a smart city and implementing innovative technologies. 

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Policy ECS-6.7: Coordinate public safety programs.

Coordinate with local partners, including schools, neighborhood groups, and community-based organizations, to encourage community-based crime prevention efforts.

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Policy ECS-6.8: Report public safety data.

Collect and report demographic and socio-economic data with citation and arrest data.

Goal ECS-7:

South San Francisco public libraries serve as centralized hubs for educational and social services.

Intent:

To increase utilization of educational and social services, particularly by low-income residents and residents of color.

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Policy ECS-7.1: Ensure adequate library services, staffing, and facilities.

Ensure adequate library services, staffing, and facilities are maintained for all residents

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Policy ECS-7.2: Promote libraries as community hubs.

Promote the library as a community hub for culturally and linguistically competent educational and social services.

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Policy ECS-7.3: Promote literacy programs.

Provide inclusive programming, technological resources, and services at libraries to promote literacy and support educational outcomes of K-12 students.

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Policy ECS-7.4: Sustain diversity in library collections.

Maintain library collections that reflect the languages, cultures, and ethnicities found in the South San Francisco community.

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Policy ECS-7.5: Expand outreach about diverse authors.

Expand programs that connect residents not currently visiting the libraries to book selections of diverse authors (e.g., summer reading program).

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Policy ECS-7.6: Provide navigation of City programs.

Partner with the City’s community navigators and promotores to provide residents with access to information about City, County, and non-profit programs and resources.

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Policy ECS-7.7: Conduct regular evaluation of library services.

Develop customer service surveys to use to evaluate library programs and events.

Goal PR-1:

South San Francisco equitably provides improved parkland, recreational facilities, and services for all residents.

Intent:

To advance distributional equity in the City’s improved parkland, recreational facilities, and services so that so all residents can engage in recreational, arts, and educational opportunities.

Policy PR-1.1: Prioritize disadvantaged community park and recreation.

Prioritize the delivery of improved parkland, recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged communities as defined in the Community Health and Environmental Justice Element.

Policy PR-1.2: Stive to have all residents within a 10-minute walk access to parks.

Strive to have all residents within a 10-minute walk of an improved park.

Policy PR-1.3: Design parks and facilities to meet universal access standards.

Design parks and recreation facilities for universal access and multi-generational use, encouraging play by residents of all abilities and ages. Continue to improve existing parks and open spaces to accommodate the needs of users of all ages and abilities.

Policy PR-1.4: Ensure equitable distribution of park and recreation opportunities.

Ensure accessible public facilities and services are equitably distributed throughout the city and are provided in a timely manner to keep pace with new development.

• Action PR-1.4.1: Provide targeted recreational services.

  Explore opportunities to provide and subsidize more recreational services to targeted populations (e.g., youth, older adults, persons with disabilities, and low-income populations).

Policy PR-1.5: Use underutilized spaces for recreational services.

Seek opportunities to use vacant and underutilized commercial and industrial buildings for recreational services, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Policy PR-1.6: Translate information for park and recreational programs.

When appropriate, send targeted promotions and notifications related to parks, recreation, and City services in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Tagalog.

Policy PR-1.7: Identify needs of underserved groups.

In partnership with community members, identify the needs of youth, seniors, the disabled, children with special needs, people who do not speak English as a first language, disadvantaged populations, and people in neighborhoods underserved by parks, recreation, trails, and public facilities, and ensure facilities and programming serves the needs of these groups.

Policy PR-1.8: Match resident needs with services.

Monitor demographics and needs of residents in neighborhoods throughout the city and match programming with neighborhood demographics and needs (e.g., more senior programming in neighborhoods with a substantial senior population) as part of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process.

Policy PR-1.9: Support community events.

Continue to support and permit special events in parks organized by community organizations helping to ensure these are self-sufficient over time.

Goal PR-8:

Parks and recreational facilities have the appropriate staffing to offer high-quality recreational programs and offerings for residents of all ages.

Intent:

To expand programming capacity to effectively serve South San Francisco’s diverse community.

Policy PR-8.1: Meet Recreational Services Program staffing target.

Strive to achieve a ratio of 15 full time and part time recreation program staff per 10,000 residents. Maintain staffing quality control and long-term expertise.

Policy PR-8.2: Provide varied recreational programming.

Provide a variety of programming to ensure all residents have the opportunity to live healthy, active, and social lifestyles, including aquatics, fitness, library programs and events, and technology and innovation.

Policy PR-8.3: Maximize class offerings.

Maximize successful class offerings by increasing class size limits or offering more sessions/times.

Policy PR-8.4: Provide cultural diversity in program offerings.

Recognize the city’s diverse cultural influences and incorporate them into space planning and programming.

Policy PR-8.5: Provide multigenerational spaces.

Continue to enhance multi-generational use of existing facilities that supports a variety of programing needs.

Policy PR-8.6: Expand performing arts programs and facilities.

Continue to provide facilities and service offerings to support South San Francisco’s thriving performing arts community.

Policy PR-8.7: Expand environmental stewardship programs.

Recognize the unique ecological resources in the city through expanded recreational programing about ecology and environmental stewardship.

Policy PR-8.8: Connect services through shuttles.

Continue to provide and expand when feasible connections to parks, open spaces, public services, and programming by expanding the South City Shuttle service and the City’s van program for medically frail older adults or by bringing “pop-up” services to neighborhoods underserved by public facilities, services, and programs.

Policy PR-8.9: Provide youth skill-building opportunities.

Explore skill-building opportunities and programs that involve young people in parks and recreational service development and maintenance.

Policy PR-8.10: Involve youth in enrichment programs.

Ensure that City-run enrichment programs promote racial and social equity by ensuring that young people—and especially youth of color and youth from other historically disenfranchised communities—are involved in (and ideally leading) City-run enrichment programs.

• Action PR-8.10.1: Identify and pilot enrichment programs.

  Identify and pilot new ways to engage young people and their families who have not previously participated in City-run enrichment programming – and use these efforts to identify common reasons youth and families have not participated in these community resources.

• Action PR-8.10.2: Target locations for enrichment programs.

  Use targeted locations and coordinate with existing programs/organizations to strengthen/expand youth development opportunities specifically for youth of color and youth from historically disenfranchised communities.

Policy PR-8.11: Explore Park Stewardship.

Explore creating a program to train and hire SSF residents for maintenance and stewardship of open spaces.

Policy PR-8.12: Explore an adopt the park program.

Explore creation of an adopt a park program with businesses and community-based organizations.

For related policies and implementation actions related to recreational programs for childcare and preschool and older adults and seniors, see Goals PR-8 and PR-9. For related policies and implementation actions related to recreational programing and equity, see Goal PR-1. For related policies and implementation actions related to recreational facility maintenance and expansion, see Goal PR-7.

Goal CHEJ-6:

Low-income residents have access to safe housing and shelter throughout South San Francisco.

Intent:

To enhance the quality of existing affordable housing and to expand housing opportunities and services for residents experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

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Policy CHEJ-6.1: Strengthen programs to maintain a safe and sanitary supply of affordable housing.

Strengthen programs to maintain a safe and sanitary supply of affordable housing.

• Action CHEJ-6.1.1: Continue working with San Mateo Fall Prevention Task Force.

  Continue working with San Mateo Fall Prevention Task Force in creating safer homes for older adults.

• Action CHEJ-6.1.2: Establish lead and asbestos removal program.

  In cooperation with San Mateo County and other regional agencies, establish a lead-based paint and asbestos removal program for affordable housing units built before 1980.

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Policy CHEJ-6.2: Enforce housing maintenance and building codes safety.

Enforce applicable provisions of the housing and building codes. Where implementation of applicable provisions may result in housing displacement, identify opportunities to ensure residents remain housed. Expand maintenance and abatement assistance programs for single (including mobile homes) and multi-family properties of low-income households. Support programs designed to rehabilitate deteriorated units through weatherization, modernization, and elimination of common home pollutants.

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Policy CHEJ-6.3: Track HUD inspections.

Track and address annual United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) inspections of publicly subsidized housing units.

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Policy CHEJ-6.4: Strengthen programs to provide housing and services for unhoused residents.

Strengthen programs to provide housing opportunities and services for unhoused residents, including safe restrooms, permanent supportive housing, and services..

• Action CHEJ-6.4.1: Provide safe restroom facilities.

  Provide mobile shower, bathroom, and needle exchange sites and facilities for unhoused residents.

• Action CHEJ-6.4.2: Implement permanent supportive housing.

  Implement the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing First program once permanent supportive housing is available within the city.

• Action CHEJ-6.4.3: Provide services for unhoused families.

  Work with homeless service providers to prioritize legal help, housing assistance, and other social services for unhoused families in South San Francisco.

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Policy CHEJ-6.5: Partner with the local shelters.

Continue to partner with the local shelter to provide cots for emergency shelter situations, including extreme heat and cold days.

Goal CHEJ-7:

Low-income households are protected from displacement. 

Intent:

To ensure existing low-income residents are able to continue to comfortably live in South San Francisco.

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Policy CHEJ-7.1: Support residents who are at-risk of being displaced.

Reduce the rate of evictions and support low-income residents who are at-risk of being displaced.

• Action CHEJ-7.1.1: Provide renter education and assistance.

  Continue to connect low-income residents to city, county, state, and non-profit resources that provide technical, legal, and financial assistance for renters facing eviction.

• Action CHEJ-7.1.2: Develop anti-displacement plan.

  Develop an anti-displacement plan to halt displacement in the city, particularly in Downtown, Sign Hill, El Camino, and Sunshine Gardens, which may include a rent stabilization policy, just cause-eviction and harassment protections, tenant and landlord mediation programs, right of first refusal, rental assistance, tenant legal counseling, and a rent board to implement the program.

• Action CHEJ-7.1.3: Create a rental and eviction registry.

  Create a rental and eviction registry to assess rental market and eviction trends.

• Action CHEJ-7.1.4: Provide housing for people with disabilities.

  Add disability to the existing live-work preference policy to prioritize providing housing to people with disabilities.

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Policy CHEJ-7.2: Create pathways for homeownership.

Support low-income residents in securing homeownership and establishing generational wealth in South San Francisco as a pathway to prevent displacement.

• Action CHEJ-7.2.1: Connect residents to mortgage assistance resources.

  Provide mortgage assistance to help low-income homeowners at risk of foreclosure with financial or counseling support. Provide residents with resources and connections to HEART of San Mateo County, a countywide homeowner assistance program, and other non-profit homeowner assistance programs.

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Policy CHEJ-7.3: Encourage resident controlled limited-equity housing.

Encourage resident controlled limited-equity ownership, such as limited-equity condominiums, limited-equity cooperatives, and community land trusts.

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Policy CHEJ-7.4: Expand housing funds and programs.

Continue to expand housing funds and ensure residents have access to home repair programs.

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Policy CHEJ-7.5: Enforce fair housing laws.

Strictly enforce fair housing laws to protect residents from housing discrimination.

• Action CHEJ-7.5.1: Provide resident housing rights education.

  Provide education, outreach, and referral services for residents regarding their rights as tenants and buyers.

• Action CHEJ-7.5.2: Provide landlord housing rights education.

  Provide education and outreach to landlords, property managers, real estate agents, and others on their obligations as they make or manage properties available for housing.

Goal PE-6:

South San Francisco residents achieve upward mobility and equitably shared prosperity.

Intent:

To support equitable access to high-quality job opportunities and positive outcomes for South San Francisco residents through education and job training partnerships with businesses, schools, and workforce development organizations, and through availability of affordable workforce housing.

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Policy PE-6.1: Collaborate on workforce development programs.

Work with job training agencies and local employers and unions to implement programs to improve workforce skills, including targeting of resources to residents of color, residents with disabilities, and low-income residents.

• Action PE-6.1.1: Determine skills needs of South San Francisco residents.

  Regularly reassess the skills needs of businesses and industries in South San Francisco, San Mateo County, and San Francisco to determine what kinds of training programs may be most beneficial for South San Francisco residents, including residents with a high school degree or partial college completion. 

• Action PE-6.1.2: Seek funding and partnerships for workforce development programs.

  Seek out new funding streams and partnerships for workforce development programs, such as funding from federal sources and partnerships with companies located in South San Francisco and with trade unions.

• Action PE-6.1.3: Coordinate with workforce development agencies.

  Continue working with local workforce development agencies that provide rapid re-employment services, training services, and other workforce development services as needed. 

• Action PE-6.1.4: Provide customized local workforce training.

  Coordinate with local job training providers to ensure that programs are aligned with middle- and high-wage industries located in South San Francisco. If mismatches exist between the focus areas of countywide or regional workforce development agencies versus unique skill needs in South San Francisco, continue to pursue the creation of local customized workforce development services.

• Action PE-6.1.5: Expand partnerships with major local employers.

  Expand partnerships with major local employers that create pathways for job training and placement for residents and students, such as Genentech’s Gene Academy, Futurelab, and other STEM initiatives.

• Action PE-6.1.6: Support community wide efforts to provide English as a Second Language education.

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Policy PE-6.2: Coordinate South San Francisco’s employment and job training efforts with local youth educational institutions.

• Action PE-6.2.1: Develop shared work program with SSFUSD.

  Develop and maintain a shared work program and agreement with the South San Francisco Unified School District to coordinate education, employer skill needs, and on-the-job internship/training opportunities.

• Action PE-6.2.2: Establish youth job training with local employers.

  Establish agreements with major city employers to provide job training for local youth.

• Action PE-6.2.3: Continue City practice of providing internships and mentoring.

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Policy PE-6.3: Encourage affordable housing and access to jobs.

Encourage development of income-restricted affordable housing with easy access to major employment districts in and near South San Francisco (see the Housing Element and Land Use Element).

Goal PE-7:

South San Francisco provides a business climate that supports the success of local entrepreneurs and existing small, local, minority-owned, and culturally diverse businesses.

Intent:

To ensure South San Francisco’s small, local, minority-owned, and culturally diverse businesses can achieve success by removing barriers to opportunity and providing culturally appropriate technical resources and training for entrepreneurs.

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Policy PE-7.1: Provide technical assistance information to small businesses.

Provide information to small businesses about technical assistance programs available through the City and partners such as the San Mateo Small Business Development Center.

• Action PE-7.1.1: Disseminate resources.

  Introduce available resources through all contacts with businesses. Examine additional opportunities to broaden access to information about these resources, such as providing materials to all establishments receiving City business licenses.

• Action PE-7.1.2: Provide targeted resources to home-based businesses.

  Explore providing targeted resources to home-based businesses regarding opportunities for support and for expansion into commercial and industrial spaces.

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Policy PE-7.2: Explore opportunities to enhance access to capital.

Explore opportunities for developing programs that enhance access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

• Action PE-7.2.1: Pursue creation of a program that provides low-cost business loans.

  Explore the creation of a low-cost business loan program for local small businesses and entrepreneurs, administered and/or funded by the City of South San Francisco or outside partners.

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Policy PE-7.3: Augment channels of communication with the business community.

• Action PE-7.3.1: Increase coordination with business organizations.

  Increase cooperation and coordinate with the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the regional ethnic chambers of commerce, and other local business groups.

• Action PE-7.3.2: Ensure informational materials for businesses are published in multiple languages.

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Policy PE-7.4: Support the retention and formation of local businesses owned by people of color and historically disenfranchised community members.

• Action PE-7.4.1: Conduct targeted engagement.

  Conduct outreach to and share technical and other resources with these entrepreneurs through partnerships with culturally relevant organizations and via the promoters, community navigators, and the Community Resource Center.

Goal PE-8:

South San Francisco provides a business climate that supports the success of local entrepreneurs and existing small, local, minority-owned, and culturally diverse businesses.

Intent:

To ensure South San Francisco’s small, local, minority-owned, and culturally diverse businesses can achieve success by removing barriers to opportunity and providing culturally appropriate technical resources and training for entrepreneurs.

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Policy PE-8.1: Maintain and implement new funding mechanisms to address the impacts of development and support infrastructure needs.

• Action PE-8.1.1: Periodically update impact fees.

  Periodically update the City’s impact fee schedule to reflect changing development conditions and supportable fee levels. 

• Action PE-8.1.2: Establish district-based financing tools.

  Explore establishing community facilities districts and other district-based financing mechanisms East of 101 and in other rapidly growing areas to ensure that new development adequately covers the costs of new infrastructure and facilities needs.

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Policy PE-8.2: Explore equitable services spending.

As operating revenues increase in response to citywide growth, explore how these revenues can be equitably deployed to meet the needs of residents. 

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Policy PE-8.3: Establish community benefits contributions.

Establish and maintain mechanisms for businesses seeking adjustments to base zoning and density standards to provide voluntary community benefits.

• Action PE-8.3.1: Maintain and expand density bonus incentive program.

  As appropriate, maintain and expand the City’s existing density bonus incentive program for commercial properties.

Goal CR-6:

A City prepared for the combined impacts of extreme heat and poor air quality.

Intent:

To reduce the likelihood of harmful impacts from extreme heat and poor air quality.

Policy CR-6.1: Support resilient building design.

Support resilient building design by helping residents weatherize homes to keep them cooler and more energy efficient and to improve indoor air quality.

• Action CR-6.1.1: Review and update funding programs for resilient building design.

  Review and update existing funding programs, such as the Property-Assessed Clean Energy program to promote climate-resilient design and retrofits.

• Action CR-6.1.1: Create a community engagement for weatherization programs.

  Develop a targeted outreach regarding weatherization assistance program for low-income households.

Policy CR-6.2: Maintain clear and high-quality hazard communications.

Inform residents and businesses about hazards.

• Action CR-6.2.1: Develop an early warning systems for heat and air quality.

  Develop early warning systems for heat and air quality alerts, in multiple languages and through culturally relevant media.

• Action CR-6.2.2: Work with utilities to prevent shutoff during extreme events.

  Work with Pacific Gas & Electric and Peninsula Clean Energy to prevent utility shutoff during extreme heat events.

Policy CR-6.3: Reduce heat island impacts through adaption strategies.

Reduce the heat island effect by implementing a variety of adaptation solutions.

• Action CR-6.3.1: Identify heat island priority areas.

  Identify areas of greatest risk of urban heat island effect and target resources in these areas, including tree planting, cool roofs, and installation of cool pavement.

Policy CR-6.4: Maintain adequate cooling and warming centers.

Review, update, and maintain facilities that can be used as refuge during excessive heat and cold days.

• Action CR-6.4.1: Prepare a cooling and warming centers distribution plan.

  Maintain the capability to operated cooling and warming centers equitably throughout the city when needed.

Policy CR-6.5: Coordinate transportation system with air quality improvements.

Promote a transportation system coordinated with air quality improvements. For related policies and implementation actions related to environmental justice and air quality, see Goal CHEJ-3. For related policies and implementation actions related to urban forestry, see Goal ES-4.

GOAL LU-3:

A diverse range of housing options that create equitable opportunity for people of all ages, races/ethnicities, abilities, socio-economic status, genders, and family types to live in South San Francisco.

INTENT:

To foster a diverse community of South San Francisco residents. To create housing opportunity for everyone, regardless of income level, to live in South San Francisco.

Policy LU-3.1: Create affordable and workforce housing.

Actively facilitate adding affordable and workforce housing in all South San Francisco neighborhoods equitably.

• Action LU-3.1.1: Coordinate with SSFUSD regarding housing on closed school sites.

  Work with the South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) to study the potential of developing housing and community services, such as childcare, on closed school sites, including the former Foxridge school site.

• Action LU-3.1.2: Allow housing on sites with institutional uses.

  Revise the Zoning Ordinance to allow housing development on sites used for institutional purposes, such as educational facilities and churches.

• Action LU-3.1.3: Develop workforce housing program.

  Partner employment growth with residential development through partnerships with large employers, density bonuses, height bonuses, transfer of development rights, and other similar incentives.

Policy LU-3.2: Update zoning to be in compliance with State housing law.

Continually update the Zoning Ordinance to be in compliance with State housing law.

Policy: LU-3.3 Encourage diversity of housing types and sizes.

Encourage a variety of housing types to be developed at a range of densities to equitably serve varying household types, including, but not limited to, single-family attached and detached, accessory dwelling units, studio and microunits, multifamily apartments, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and condominiums.

Policy LU-3.4: Facilitate multi-generational housing.

Encourage development of housing types that support multi-generational households and opportunities to age in place.

Policy LU-3.5: Facilitate live/work housing.

Provide opportunities for live/work options to support a creative economy and meet the changing needs of workspaces.

Policy LU-3.6: Facilitate housing for all needs.

Facilitate housing for seniors, special needs groups, including the developmentally disabled, and non-traditional family groups by requiring a diverse range of housing configurations that are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and flexible.

Policy LU-3.7: No net loss in housing.

Require no net loss in the number of residential units during reconstruction or renovation.

Policy LU-3.8: Implement Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and State Density Bonus.

Continue to implement the City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and State Density Bonus to encourage development of housing affordable to low-income households.

Policy LU-3.9: Incentivize and preserve affordable housing and develop models to expand homeownership.

Develop regulatory mechanisms via the Zoning Ordinance, Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, and community benefits agreements to incentivize development of affordable housing, including workforce housing, and develop programming to preserve affordable housing and expand homeownership.

• Action LU-3.9.1: Encourage preservation and upkeep of naturally-occurring affordable housing.

  Study and implement programming and regulations to encourage preservation and upkeep of existing naturally-occurring affordable housing (NOAH), such as rental protections for residents in NOAH units.

• Action LU-3.9.2: Explore equity homeownership models.

  Explore expanded use of shared equity homeownership models, including a community land trust, to increase home ownership.

Policy LU-3.10: Existing home retrofit for age-friendly design.

Simplify the process to retrofit homes so people can stay in their homes safely and comfortably.

Policy LU-3.11: Affordable housing for older adults.

Support affordable housing opportunities for older adults and their caregivers.

Goal MOB-2:

South San Francisco provides a multimodal network with convenient choices for everyone.

Intent:

To provide low-cost, low-impact travel options and to focus on moving people rather than cars (Resolution 86-2012).

Policy MOB-2.1: Incorporate complete streets improvements into all roadway and development projects.

• Action MOB-2.1.1: Complete multimodal design and impact analysis.

  Ensure that roadway and development projects are designed and evaluated to meet the needs of all street users, and that development projects contribute to multimodal improvements in proportion to their potential impacts on vehicle miles traveled.

• Action MOB-2.1.2: Create multimodal prioritization processes.

  Develop Capital Improvement Program (CIP) prioritization criteria to strategically advance multimodal complete streets projects.

• Action MOB-2.1.3: Implement Active South City Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan.

  All capital improvements and development projects incorporate bicycle and pedestrian improvements identified in the Active South City Plan, such as trails, bikeways, bicycle detection at traffic signals, high-visibility crosswalks, and pedestrian-oriented site plans.

• Action MOB-2.1.4: Implement transit speed, reliability, and access improvements.

  All capital improvements and development projects near regional transit stations or bus/shuttle routes incorporate improvements to advance speed, reliability, and access, such as in-lane far-side bus stops, bus-only lanes, queue jumps, and pedestrian/bicycle gap closures.

• Action MOB-2.1.5: Address ADA accessibility.

  Address ADA accessibility gaps in the City’s transportation infrastructure, including at sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, and bus stops.

• Action MOB-2.1.6: Pilot an open streets program.

  Create and pilot a car-free, open streets program.

Policy MOB-2.2: Advance more equitable transportation within South San Francisco.

• Action MOB-2.2.1: Implement Safe Routes to Schools program.

  Collaborate with the South San Francisco Unified School District to implement Safe Routes to Schools programs and improvements, with an emphasis on schools serving equity priority communities.

• Action MOB-2.2.2: Develop free bus and shuttle service for residents.

  Develop a dedicated funding source or leverage private sector contributions to fund the South City shuttle and free bus service for South San Francisco residents.

• Action MOB-2.2.3: Incorporate equitable prioritization processes.

  Incorporate equity in identifying and prioritizing Capital Improvement Program (CIP) transportation projects.

Policy MOB-2.3: Interaction between truck routes and bicycle / pedestrian priority streets.

When streets are designated as a truck route and a priority street for bicyclists and pedestrian (either in the General Plan or Active South City Plan), complete a more detailed review and study to prioritize intersections and street design for active mobility and limit truck movements to the designated truck routes.

Goal SA-4:

New opportunities are created to live Downtown and to protect existing residents against threats of displacement.

Intent:

To give all people – current and future – opportunities to live and remain in Downtown.

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Policy SA-4.1: Preserve existing affordable housing.

Protect existing residents from displacement by preserving existing affordable housing, increasing assistance for renters, and exploring homeownership models.

• Action SA-4.1.1: Homeownership expansion.

  Evaluate potential for community land trusts and/or other shared equity homeownership models to expand homeownership Downtown.

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Policy SA-4.2: Leverage publicly-owned land Downtown.

Leverage South San Francisco’s inventory of publicly-owned land Downtown to support housing affordability.

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Policy SA-4.3: Encourage moderate density housing types.

Encourage development of moderate density housing types to increase the supply and diversity of housing Downtown.