April 2022
Dear Members:
I am energized after Wednesday’s California Association of Realtors® in-person Legislative Day! THANK YOU to the more than 50 members in our San Francisco contingent who took time out of your busy schedules to travel to Sacramento and make your voice heard on issues affecting homeownership!
Highlights of the day included Governor Gavin Newsom speaking about statewide programs to boost California's economy and build/refurbish housing, Speaker of the Assembly Robert Hertzberg addressing housing development, and just being together in-person after two years of virtual Leg Days.
Additionally, State Senator Scott Weiner, Assemblymember Phil Ting and Genevieve Jopanda, the Chief of Staff for State Treasurer Fiona Ma, joined our working lunch to talk specifics about San Francisco housing and real estate.
My sincere gratitude to Mary Jung, SFAR’s Director of Government Affairs, and Jay Cheng, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, for orchestrating such an effective day. Please see a few photos below and more here.
One of the hot topics in Sacramento this week was fair housing, and, as you probably know, April is designated as ‘Fair Housing Month’. Our Association created multiple opportunities for you to increase your knowledge of fair housing issues and learn about opportunities to help clients from all backgrounds become homeowners.
Specifically:
- Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee held a screening of “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” at the beautiful Bayview Opera House on April 7th. Committee Chair Kenny Gong and 2022 Board Member Vanessa Gamp led a great discussion about race and housing in San Francisco. See a few photos from the evening here.
- Our Education and Events Committee Chair Patrick Gardner hosted a terrific webinar on April 20th with Maria Benjamin, Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, on city programs to help your clients afford a home. If you missed the discussion, you can watch a recording here. Also, I will be moderating a follow-up webinar on best practices regarding Below Market Rate (BMR) properties, Downpayment Assistance Loan Programs (DALP), and more in a few weeks. Watch for the details to come shortly.
- Board Member Rob Edwards led the second session in his year-long documentary film and discussion series “No Wealth Creation for You”about race and the real estate industry. Rob facilitates powerful and important discussions. I encourage you to join the next event on Wednesday, May 18th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Please register here.
One other highlight from April was our Realtor® Give Back Day on Earth Day -- Friday, April 22nd. Our Education and Events Committee Chair Patrick Gardner and Vice Chair Ayn McGee organized a fantastic day of volunteering with the SF-Marin Food Bank, greenspace beautification with TogetherSF, and then a reception for volunteers at the beautiful ATwater Tavern, sponsored by Guarantee Mortgage. I LOVED seeing so many Realtors® out in the community, making a real difference, and showing that we care. Thank you, thank you! Please take a look at the photos here.
Stay safe and healthy,
Jeannie Gant
2022 President, San Francisco Association of Realtors®
- Our Education and Events Committee Chair Patrick Gardner hosted a terrific webinar on April 20th with Maria Benjamin, Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, on city programs to help your clients afford a home. If you missed the discussion, you can watch a recording here. Also, I will be moderating a follow-up webinar on best practices regarding Below Market Rate (BMR) properties, Downpayment Assistance Loan Programs (DALP), and more in a few weeks. Watch for the details to come shortly.
- Board Member Rob Edwards led the second session in his year-long documentary film and discussion series “No Wealth Creation for You”about race and the real estate industry. Rob facilitates powerful and important discussions. I encourage you to join the next event on Wednesday, May 18th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Please register here.
One other highlight from April was our Realtor® Give Back Day on Earth Day -- Friday, April 22nd. Our Education and Events Committee Chair Patrick Gardner and Vice Chair Ayn McGee organized a fantastic day of volunteering with the SF-Marin Food Bank, greenspace beautification with TogetherSF, and then a reception for volunteers at the beautiful ATwater Tavern, sponsored by Guarantee Mortgage. I LOVED seeing so many Realtors® out in the community, making a real difference, and showing that we care. Thank you, thank you! Please take a look at the photos here.
Stay safe and healthy,
Jeannie Gant
2022 President, San Francisco Association of Realtors®
