Welcome back to the “Meet the Candidates” series for District 11, where we ask each candidate to answer one question every week leading up to the election. They must answer the question in 100 words or less. We will link to longer answers.
With District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safaí termed out and running for mayor, seven candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to represent the Excelsior, Oceanview and the Outer Mission.
The city started Mayor London Breed’s “aggressive” homeless encampment sweeps on Aug. 1, confiscating tents and personal belongings of homeless residents.
According to the city’s schedule acquired by Mission Local, the sweeps have included Division Street under the highway at the northern end of the Mission District, and on Bayshore Boulevard, directly across from a Navigation Center in the Bayview.
Even though there have been no sweeps in District 11, it is one of the most pressing citywide issues, so we asked the candidates this week to weigh in on sweeps: What are your thoughts on the current encampment sweeps? Do you think any part of the sweeps should be handled differently?
Four of the candidates appear to support the sweeps: “EJ” Jones, who cautions that they must be done with compassion; Michael Lai, who argues that the city should “learn from failed sweeps;” Jose Morales, who thinks providing shelters is important; and Roger Marenco, who thinks the sweeps should have been done sooner.
Next week, I will be at Double Shot Coffee (4495 Mission St.) at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug 15. You can also reach me with questions, comments, and tips at xueer@missionlocal.com
Roger Marenco
- Job: Transit operator
- Age: 42
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since May 2014
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability and social justice from San Francisco State University. City College San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish
The encampment sweeps is nothing more than a political ruse that is being used by politicians because it’s election time and these politicians want to be able to say “look, I cleaned up the streets, so vote for me again and I promise to continue cleaning up the streets.” These encampment sweeps should have been done immediately upon being elected into City Hall, not during re-election time. I would make “before and after” videos so that everyone can see the difference of a dangerous environment before cleanup versus a safe environment after it has been cleaned up.
Jose Morales
- Job: Sales professional, small-business owner
- Age: 28
- Residency: Tenant, born in District 11 in 1995 and has lived there since, except for time away in college from 2014 to 2017 and living in Idaho from 2021 to the end of 2022
- Transportation: Car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics from Sonoma State University
- Languages: English, Spanish
I believe encampment sweeps are important, but only if we can provide shelter, which we are doing.
We can’t let people hold our sidewalks hostage just because they refuse to go to a shelter.
There are available beds.
Encampments are harsh and unfair to the local residents who have to put up with the illegal activities that often come with tent encampments.
Chyanne Chen
- Job: Worker organizer, community facilitator and educator
- Age: 39
- Residency: Homeowner, landlord, living in District 11 since August 2000
- Transportation: Walk, public transportation, rideshare, and car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Davis, master’s degree from Cornell University, doctoral degree in education in progress at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
The current status quo is unacceptable, and I know many of our residents are fed up. Encampments are simply not safe living spaces for unhoused residents and we need to do more to move individuals into safe transitional housing. I’ve talked to many parents, seniors and small-business owners who are frustrated that for every step we take to reduce encampments, we then take two steps back.
I am deeply concerned that this latest initiative will be more of the same. I am concerned about media reports indicating that city staff are not following well-established policies on securing the personal … read more here
Endorsed by: Assemblymember Phil Ting, former police commissioner Larry Yee, San Francisco Board of Education commissioner Jenny Lam, former supervisors Norman Yee, Sandy Fewer and Mabel Teng.
Adlah Chisti
- Job: Public policy analyst, caregiver
- Age: 40
- Residency: Live with parents and caregive for them, born in District 11 in 1983 and lived there since, moved out in 2013 and back in 2017
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in politics and in environmental science, and master’s degree in education from University of San Francisco, master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy, juris doctorate from University of California Law, San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish, Hindi
My focus will always be on providing humane and effective solutions to end homelessness in San Francisco. This means we must treat people with dignity. To address the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness, we should fast-track the development of emergency shelters, especially for vulnerable groups like children and families. Additionally, it’s imperative to designate safe parking areas that include essential amenities, such as bathrooms and showers, providing a more stable environment for tent encampments and those living in their vehicles. Tents are occupying the public right of way and as a city we must act upon it and ensure … read more here
Endorsed by: United Educators of San Francisco, Green Party, Run for Something, Police Commissioner Debra Walker, … read more here
Ernest “EJ” Jones
- Job: Community advocate
- Age: 38
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since November 1985 and has lived here always, except for time away at college
- Transportation: Public, car
- Education: Bachelor’s degree, Dominican University, master’s degree in public administration from University of San Francisco
- Languages: English, Spanish
It is essential to handle encampment sweeps with intention and compassion. While maintaining accessible sidewalks is important, it is equally important to treat our unhoused neighbors with respect. To achieve this, we must ensure that enough shelter beds are available for the unhoused population, and create opportunities for stabilization by utilizing the extensive services in San Francisco’s ecosystem, including mental-health clinicians and support services.
As supervisor, I will:
- Invest in and increase the availability of permanent supportive housing options, integrating housing with support services to help individuals maintain stable living situations.
- Focus on providing comprehensive mental health and substance … read more here
Endorsed by: Supervisors Shamann Walton and Myrna Melgar, Assemblymember Matt Haney, Former SF mayor Willie Brown Jr., Transit Workers Union Local 250A… read more here
Michael Lai
- Job: Early education director, elected to the San Francisco Democratic Party
- Age: 31
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 11 since February 2024
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in government at Harvard College with coursework at Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Languages: English, Mandarin
Last year, a Head Start center in the Tenderloin I used to volunteer at shut down, because parents no longer wanted to send their kids there with the needles and encampments. We can and must do better with homelessness.
I am supportive of homeless encampment sweeps, but we need to learn from failed sweeps in the Frank Jordan administration, Willie Brown administration, and more. We need to use Homeward Bound to relocate the homeless not from San Francisco back home (estimated 40 percent), expand shelter capacity and get the homeless into shelter, for those who are mentally ill, redirect resources … read more here
Endorsed by: Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senator Scott Wiener, Sheriff Paul Miyamoto, Supervisors Joel Engardio and Matt Dorsey, NorCal Carpenters Union… read more here
Candidates are ordered alphabetically but rotated weekly. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at xueer@missionlocal.com.
Read the rest of the District 11 questions here, and the entire “Meet the Candidates” series here.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
Jose morales, thank you leaving my block littered in your flyers!!! I have collect 18 of them from the sidewalks and gutters just on my one block the 100 block of Madrid street. How is this ok amd how do you think we feel about it? There is no direct contact information for you so this the only way I found to let you know , we are all upset with you! It’s ridiculous how leaving flyers with only info to donate and none other was your best idea for campaigning. Please respond!