import { AllSupervisorWithLocationEmailCTA } from "../../../src/components/ctas/supervisor_email"; import { strongSupport, weakSupport, weakOppose, strongOppose, } from "../../../src/utils/pulsePalette"; import DoughnutWrapper from "../../../src/components/pulse/doughnutWrapper"; import CrossTabChart from "../../../src/components/pulse/CrossTabChart"; For the past three years, GrowSF has regularly polled on the popularity of various housing proposals. From upzoning, to homeless shelters, to high rises, and the cost of living, we've been keeping track of what people want. Now with Mayor Lurie's family zoning proposal on the table, we thought it was the right time to publicly disclose _much more_ of our housing data. Below, you'll find our results and cross-tabs for the first time, and you'll see that housing is, in fact, super popular: - Family Zoning commands 74% support - High‑rises near transit earn 68% approval citywide—peaking at 81% among 18–39‑year‑olds - 5–8 stories along major streets attracts 67% support - Guaranteed permit approvals for code‑compliant projects is backed by 62% of respondents These results underscore that, far from fearing big buildings or fretting about “developer giveaways,” San Franciscans want more homes—and they want the city to approve them. ## First, some background California is short [4 million more homes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_housing_shortage#Estimated_under-supply_of_housing_units). Our housing shortage has raised the cost of living for everyone and forced millions of people to move to other states, like [Texas](https://calmatters.org/commentary/2024/04/california-politicians-skirmish-housing-crisis/#:~:text=with%20Texas%20adding%201.5%20million%20new%20units) and Florida, that are actually building homes. To end this shortage, bring the cost of living back under control, and make California a great place for families to live, the state has finally issued legally binding growth targets for every city in the state. San Francisco must build 82,000 new homes between 2022 and 2030. So far, San Francisco has only built [about 3,000 units](https://cities.fairhousingelements.org/cities/san-francisco). If nothing changes, we will miss our legally required goals and the state will strip San Francisco of local control over zoning, land use, and building permits. It may even withhold millions of dollars. ## 74% support Family Zoning: Neighborhood‑Scale Density Mayor Lurie's [family zoning plan](https://growsf.org/news/2025-04-03-family-zoning/) aims to get the city back on track by allowing huge swathes of the west side of SF to subdivide and add units to their homes–for the academics, this is called "density decontrol." It also raises height limits along major corridors like Van Ness. Economists and researchers predict that it will boost land values while lowering the cost of individual homes, because more homes will be built on the same amount of land. In July, 2025 we asked over 400 San Francisco voters how they felt about family zoning. With a margin of error of ±3.5%, we found **74% of people support the family zoning plan**. First, we established a baseline by asking if they had heard of it--roughly 35% of voters had. We then asked those 35% for their opinion: **Question**: Generally speaking, do you support or oppose Mayor Daniel Lurie's "Family Zoning" plan?

July 10-20, 2025

We then resumed asking the question to all respondents, not just those who had heard of the plan. First, we explained what it will do, and then asked for their opinion: **Question**: Mayor Lurie's Family Zoning plan will allow homeowners on the west side of San Francisco to expand their homes, add in-law or backyard units for renters, or even redevelop them into small apartment buildings, so long as they do so within existing height limits. Knowing this, do you support or oppose Mayor Daniel Lurie's Family Zoning plan?

July 10-20, 2025

Every demographic in every district supports Lurie's family zoning plan, by substantial margins. The lowest support is District 7, with 62% support / 19% oppose, and the highest is in District 6 with 83% support / 17% oppose. ## Build Near BART San Franciscans aren't afraid of tall buildings, despite what you may have heard. They want 20 story towers near BART stops and downtown and 6-8 stories along major streets. The major determinant of support is age - young people are wildly supportive, and 65+ only somewhat. ### 68% Want Highrises Near BART It's time to build some more towers near transit! They are _overwhelmingly_ popular across almost every single demographic in the city. Notably, Mission neighborhood groups have historically opposed growth, but our polling shows that residents of the Mission support highrises near BART at 71%! **Question**: The City should allow 15- to 20-story apartment buildings within half a mile of BART stops, including throughout the Mission District.

April 2-13, 2025

Of course, how the question is worded matters. If voters aren't reminded that these homes will be built **near high-quality transit**, and _only_ mention the neighborhood, support drops but still stays in the majority for every demographic except 65+ **Question**: The City should allow 15- to 20-story apartment buildings throughout the Mission District.

April 2-13, 2025

### 71% Want Highrises On the East Side What about 30 story residential towers in SOMA, the Financial District, Dogpatch, and Mission Bay? Super popular. **Question**: The Board of Supervisors may propose a change to city zoning laws in order to allow up to 30-story residential buildings in SOMA, the Financial District, Dogpatch, and Mission Bay. This would allow many more homes and offices to be built in these neighborhoods. Would you support or oppose these changes?

February 1-6, 2025

## 61% Want Denser Commercial Corridors San Franciscans want to live in a dense, walkable city. Unfortunately, it's illegal to build in most American cities and largely illegal in San Francisco. We can – we _must_ – change the laws to legalize housing. **Question**: The Board of Supervisors may propose a change to City zoning laws which would allow 8-story buildings along major streets and near major public transit stops, and 5 to 7 stories on some commercial corridors, plus up to 20 stories along Van Ness north of Market and on California east of the Richmond district. Would you support or oppose this change?

February 1-6, 2025

## Majority Demand The Right to Build San Franciscans are tired of the neighborhood NIMBY sticking her nose in everyone's business. An absolutely stunningly high proportion of San Franciscans want to let people build, to let homeowners add rooms and roof decks, and for homebuilders to shake off the yoke of discretionary review. **Question**: Which of the following statements comes closest to your personal opinion? A: If a housing development proposal follows all the rules the City made in advance, City officials should be required to approve it even if neighbors don't like it B: City officials should be allowed to change or reject any housing development proposal that neighbors don't like even if it follows all the rules the City made in advance

September 22-26, 2024

Voters want building permits to be approved when the builder satisfies the relevant building and safety laws, and they _don't_ want random neighborhood NIMBYs to have the chance to stop it. **Question**: When homebuilders apply to renovate or build new homes, which of the following best describes how you think those applications should be handled: A: Permits for new housing should be automatically approved if a project meets all applicable building and safety laws B: Permits for new housing should never be approved until residents are given a chance to appeal them

July 10-20, 2025

## Tell your Supervisor Tell your Supervisor that you're one of the majority of San Franciscans who want to build more housing, and that you support Mayor Lurie's family zoning plan. You can use the email template below, or write your own. Thank you for your support!

What You Need To Know