{"id":34271,"date":"2024-06-07T18:14:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-08T01:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=34271"},"modified":"2024-06-07T18:14:16","modified_gmt":"2024-06-08T01:14:16","slug":"meet-the-district-3-candidates-what-do-you-think-about-the-granada-hotel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2024\/06\/07\/meet-the-district-3-candidates-what-do-you-think-about-the-granada-hotel\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the District 3 candidates: What do you think about the Granada Hotel?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Yujie-Zhou_2021.jpeg 2x\" height=\"80\" width=\"80\" src=\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Yujie-Zhou_2021.jpeg\" alt=\"A young woman with long hair, wearing a gray sweater, holds a bouquet of deep red flowers. she is smiling gently at the camera.\"> by\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/author\/yujie_zhou\/\">YUJIE ZHOU<\/a><\/strong> JUNE 5, 2024 (MissionLocal.org)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/District-3-Banner_new.png?fit=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Illustration of the district 3 supervisory race 2024 featuring landmarks, a cable car, and six candidate portraits.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/2024\/02\/conozca-a-los-candidatos-contienda-electoral-para-supervisor-del-distrito-3-de-san-francisco\/\">Leer en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Between now and the November election, Mission Local is asking each District 3 candidate one question per week, and candidates will get 100 words to respond. We will compile all responses to the 40-odd questions on a \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/2024\/02\/meet-the-candidates-all-2024-district-3-supervisor-answers\/\">Meet the Candidates<\/a>\u201d page, so that voters can get a full picture of their stances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because Supervisor Aaron Peskin terms out next January,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sf.gov\/reports\/november-2024\/candidates-november-5-2024-consolidated-general-election\">six candidates<\/a>&nbsp;have filed to run for the seat to lead District 3, which includes North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square, the Financial District, Russian Hill and Nob Hill.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have a question for the candidates?&nbsp;<em>Meet me on Thursday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m. at Joy\u2019s Place, 611 Post St. Email me at yujie@missionlocal.com.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For years, the Granada Hotel at Lower Nob Hill was an single-room occupancy hotels for seniors, whose lives were turned upside down when the city bought the property for homeless re-housing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sfstandard.com\/2021\/12\/09\/granada-hotel-rush-to-house-homeless-at-expense-of-elderly-tenants\/\">in 2020<\/a>. Soon after the acquisition,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sfstandard.com\/2021\/12\/09\/granada-hotel-rush-to-house-homeless-at-expense-of-elderly-tenants\/\">police reports<\/a>&nbsp;showed a spike in calls for service at the Granada; problems such as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sfstandard.com\/2023\/11\/07\/san-francisco-workers-health-housing-unsafe-drugs-homelessness\/\">bed bug and rodent<\/a>&nbsp;infestations also persist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Question this week:&nbsp;<strong>What do you think about the situation at the Granada Hotel?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/D3-Moe-Jamil-640x640.png?resize=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A cartoon of District 3 candidate Moe Jamil\" class=\"wp-image-582969\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-moe-jamil\">Moe Jamil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Job<\/strong>: Deputy city attorney, San Francisco City Attorney\u2019s Office<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age<\/strong>: 46<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Residency<\/strong>: Owner-occupied condo owner, living in District 3 since May 2014<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transportation<\/strong>: Walking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Education<\/strong>: University of California, Berkeley, and law school at Santa Clara University, K-12 public school<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Languages<\/strong>: English, Cantonese<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The city\u2019s acquisition of the Granada Hotel has been a challenge for the existing senior-citizen population and those awaiting placement into the project\u2019s new supportive housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The city has&nbsp;<strong>disproportionately concentrated shelters and supportive housing in Lower Nob Hill<\/strong>. One neighborhood and its&nbsp;<strong>residents cannot continue to bear the responsibility<\/strong>&nbsp;of these facilities, especially without proper planning and oversight by city departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While PG&amp;E is responsible for a majority of the delays in opening the facility, this serves as another reminder that the city should make every effort to support Clean Power SF and the public power movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Endorsed by<\/strong>: San Francisco Tenants Union, Teamsters Joint Council 7, Retired Assistant Police Chief Garrett Tom, Board President Aaron Peskin \u2026&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.moejamil.com\/endorsements\">read more here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/D3-Sharon-Lai-640x640.png?resize=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A cartoon of a woman in a business suit.\" class=\"wp-image-582970\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sharon-lai\">Sharon Lai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Job<\/strong>: Economic recovery leader at the World Economic Forum, former board member at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age<\/strong>: 41<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Residency<\/strong>: Tenant and owner, living in District 3 since 2023, first moved to SF in 2005<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transportation<\/strong>: Walk and Muni when solo, drive when with kids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Education<\/strong>: Bachelor\u2019s degree from University of California, Berkeley, development studies and city and regional planning; master\u2019s degree in public administration, Harvard Kennedy School<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Languages<\/strong>: English, Mandarin, Cantonese<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The state\u2019s time-bound Homekey funding allowed for the acquisition and conversion of the Granada, but it was rushed and didn\u2019t adequately consider the risks of integrating formerly homeless populations with legacy tenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Formerly homeless<\/strong>&nbsp;populations require significant&nbsp;<strong>support to stabilize and adjust to formal housing<\/strong>. The impacts to the existing tenants were unacceptable. As a former homeless-housing executive, I don\u2019t think this integration and transition should have occurred.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The city should have conducted proper assessment of building\u2019s conditions, provided adequate resources to ensure legacy tenants\u2019 safety, involved them in the conversion process, and provided&nbsp;<strong>relocation options<\/strong>&nbsp;as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Endorsed by<\/strong>: Community Tenants Association, Teamsters Joint Council 7, 7 of the current Board of Supervisors \u2026&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sharonlaisf.com\/endorsements\">read more here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/D3-Eduard-Navarro-640x640.png?resize=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Illustration of a bald man with a beard from District 3 wearing a blue jacket.\" class=\"wp-image-593867\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-eduard-navarro\"><strong>Eduard Navarro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Job<\/strong>: Tech startup founder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age<\/strong>: 44<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Residency<\/strong>: Tenant in District 3 since December 2021<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transportation<\/strong>: Walking, public transportation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Education<\/strong>: CFA Institute: Chartered Financial Analyst, passed level 1. Master\u2019s degree from Columbia University, architecture, concentration in urban design. Master\u2019s degree from Columbia University, real estate development, concentrating in finance. Ecole d\u2019Architecture de La Villette. Bachelor\u2019s degree in architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Languages<\/strong>: Spanish, French, German, English, Val\u00e8ncian (Catalan)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I canvassed at the Granada Hotel on March 2 for a friend running for DCCC. I saw first-hand the building\u2019s deplorable condition. The environment was unsettling. Coleen, the wonderful onsite manager, provided a personal connection to each resident that made the visit possible. It\u2019s heartbreaking to read about the ongoing issues.<strong>&nbsp;SROs are not hospitals or treatment centers<\/strong>&nbsp;and must not be treated as warehouses for people in need. We must do better, ensuring housing solutions are humane and effective. This requires a nuanced understanding of sociology, architecture, and a clear administrative structure providing not only accountability, but also authority \u2026&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Eduard-Navarro_week-18.pdf\"><em>read more here<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/D3-Jconr-B-Ortega-640x640.png?resize=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A cartoon image of a man with a mustache.\" class=\"wp-image-582971\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-jconr-b-ortega\"><strong>JConr B. Ortega<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Job<\/strong>: Self-described formerly homeless, leatherman, boxer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA lack of oversight created an unbearable and dangerous environment for existing tenants, Supervisor Peskin who championed the deal after residents reached out to him for help, declined to comment,\u201d says&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sfstandard.com\/2021\/12\/09\/granada-hotel-rush-to-house-homeless-at-expense-of-elderly-tenants\/\">the&nbsp;<em>Standard<\/em><\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>City Hall has gotten too comfortable with nonprofits doing City Hall\u2019s job and avoiding the responsibility after a scandal erupts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Time and time again, nonprofits prove their inability to solve the problem, so it\u2019s time we defund the nonprofits and require the city to, once again, do their job in providing a livable environment for residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s unacceptable that reports like these happen, even to this day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/D3-Danny-Sauter-640x640.png?resize=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A cartoon of a man with a beard.\" class=\"wp-image-582972\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-danny-sauter\">Danny Sauter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Job<\/strong>: Executive Director, Neighborhood Centers Together<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age<\/strong>: 35<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Residency<\/strong>: Tenant in District 3 since 2014<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transportation<\/strong>: Public transportation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Education<\/strong>: Bachelor\u2019s degree from Miami University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Languages<\/strong>: English, Cantonese<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Granada Hotel and its years of well-documented building neglect, rash of public safety challenges, and difficult working conditions are alarming, and are indicative of larger challenges around supportive housing in San Francisco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I would work with all stakeholders to ensure&nbsp;<strong>zero-tolerance policies for drug use in common areas<\/strong>, that essential building and worker safety projects are fast-tracked, and that neighbors have their concerns addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone at the Granada deserves better: Workers deserve protections and better wages, residents deserve safety and comfort, and neighbors deserve to have their support of the project rewarded with a safe, well-run supportive housing site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Endorsed by<\/strong>: Nor Cal Carpenters Union, Senator Scott Wiener, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Operating Engineers Local 3 \u2026&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dannyd3.com\/endorsements\">read more here<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/D3-Matthew-Susk-640x640.png?resize=640%2C640&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A cartoon of a man in a suit.\" class=\"wp-image-582973\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-matthew-susk\">Matthew Susk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Job<\/strong>: Former lead with Divvy Homes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age<\/strong>: 32<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Residency<\/strong>: TIC owner, first moved to District 3 in 2007. 2007-2009 while in high school, 2014-2016 after college, 2023-present with his wife.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transportation<\/strong>: Walking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Education<\/strong>: Bachelor\u2019s degree from St. Lawrence University, master\u2019s in business from Georgetown University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Languages<\/strong>: English<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The situation at the Granada Hotel is alarming. The hasty acquisition caused significant declines in safety and living conditions for tenants. Allegations of elder abuse, forced evictions, and inadequate oversight underscore a severe lack of accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This troubling scenario highlights the urgent need for more&nbsp;<strong>accountability with quantifiable metrics<\/strong>. We must hold all city departments and nonprofits to the highest standards with clear success metrics. The situation at the Granada Hotel is a stark reminder of the consequences of poor management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"mailto:yujie@missionlocal.com\"><em>yujie@missionlocal.com<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>You can register to vote via the&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sf.gov\/register-vote\"><em>sf.gov<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;website.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">READ MORE CANDIDATE ANSWERS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/2024\/02\/meet-the-candidates-all-2024-district-3-supervisor-answers\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newspack-missionlocal.s3.amazonaws.com\/mission\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/District-3-Banner_new.png?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Meet the Candidates: San Francisco\u2019s District 3 supervisor race\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/2024\/02\/meet-the-candidates-all-2024-district-3-supervisor-answers\/\">Meet the Candidates: San Francisco\u2019s District 3 supervisor race<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/author\/yujie_zhou\/\"><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/author\/yujie_zhou\/\">YUJIE ZHOU<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"mailto:yujie@missionlocal.com\">yujie@missionlocal.com<\/a><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Yujie_ZZ\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>REPORTER. Yujie Zhou came on as an intern after graduating from Columbia University&#8217;s Graduate School of Journalism. She is a full-time staff reporter as part of the Report for America program that helps put young journalists in newsrooms. Before falling in love with the Mission, Yujie covered New York City, studied politics through the \u201cstreet clashes\u201d in Hong Kong, and earned a wine-tasting certificate in two days. She\u2019s proud to be a bilingual journalist. Follow her on Twitter @Yujie_ZZ.<a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/author\/yujie_zhou\/\">More by Yujie Zhou<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Source:  <a href=\"https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/2024\/06\/meet-the-district-3-candidates-granada-hotel\/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Mission+Local&amp;utm_campaign=b65ae59725-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_06_06_06_17&amp;utm_term=0_-b65ae59725-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]\">https:\/\/missionlocal.org\/2024\/06\/meet-the-district-3-candidates-granada-hotel\/?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=Mission+Local&amp;utm_campaign=b65ae59725-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_06_06_06_17&amp;utm_term=0_-b65ae59725-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by\u00a0YUJIE ZHOU JUNE 5, 2024 (MissionLocal.org) Leer en espa\u00f1ol Between now and the November election, Mission Local is asking each District 3 candidate one question per week, and candidates will get 100 words to respond. We will compile all responses to the 40-odd questions on a \u201cMeet the Candidates\u201d page,&#8230; <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2024\/06\/07\/meet-the-district-3-candidates-what-do-you-think-about-the-granada-hotel\/\"> Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34271"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34271"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34271\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34272,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34271\/revisions\/34272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}