Press Release: YIMBY Law Files Suit Over Systemic Pattern of Illegal Delay in San Francisco Housing Projects

Contact: Jae Garner

San Francisco, CA— YIMBY Law has refiled two lawsuits against San Francisco after finding additional evidence demonstrating a pattern of behavior wherein the city delays housing projects beyond timelines outlined by state law. The lawsuits argue that this behavior from the city perpetuates the housing shortage and affordability crisis in San Francisco.

“San Francisco must be held accountable for these illegal, costly delays, ” said Rafa Sonnenfeld, policy director at YIMBY Law. “It’s well past time for San Francisco to comply with the law and meaningfully address the housing shortage and affordability crisis which are keeping people from being housed.”

YIMBY Law filed two lawsuits against the city of San Francisco between December 2021 and January 2022. Each lawsuit alleged that the city illegally denied a housing project, one at 450 O’Farrell Street and one at 469 Stevenson Street. YIMBY Law has since won a demurrer hearing in the O’Farrell case.

Since filing these cases, YIMBY Law has identified additional city behavior that strengthens pattern and practice claims included in each original filing. These claims argue that San Francisco systemically delays housing projects at multiple stages during the permitting process, extending time frames for review and approval well beyond legal limits outlined by state laws such as the Housing Accountability Act.

YIMBY Law will move forward with the pattern and practice claim included in both cases, in addition to the existing challenge against the denial of a housing project at 450 O’Farrell Street.

“These systemic delays are costly and dangerous for people who face housing insecurity and homelessness in the city,” said Sonja Trauss, Executive Director of YIMBY Law. “We have to speed up the process of approving and building housing until everyone has a stable, affordable home.”