As city officials this spring craft a ‘privacy-first policy’ mandated by voter-approved Proposition B, supporters hope its lofty ambitions will start to become a reality this summer. Already there are signs that the city could move to the forefront of enforcing limits on data collection and reshaping our relationship with technology companies.
Author Archives: Andrew Stelzer
Andrew Stelzer is an award-winning radio producer and news reporter, currently working as an editor at KALW radio in San Francisco.
Andrew's radio work has been featured on KQED, NPR, On the Media, Latino USA, Radio Netherlands, Marketplace and many other programs. He's written for In These Times, The Progressive, The East Bay Express and elsewhere. Find him at www.andrewstelzer.com
Posted inData Privacy, Elections, Fall 2018 Election, Media, News, Open Government, Social Justice, Technology
S.F. Voters Want Tough Data Privacy Rules, But Obstacles Loom
Voter-approved Proposition B mandates that San Francisco create what supporters say would be the toughest data-protection policy of any U.S. city, and would go beyond California’s landmark Consumer Privacy Act. Now comes the hard part: writing the rules that will overcome legal, technical and enforcement challenges.
Posted inElections, Housing, Law & Justice, Remaking Rent Control
Voters OK’d Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction — Now Comes the Hard Part
Over the past year, with housing still expensive and scarce, more than 1,600 San Francisco tenants have received eviction notices. On June 5, city voters made history, guaranteeing legal help to anyone facing eviction, regardless of income. San Francisco has until July 2019 to set up multimillion-dollar program under Proposition F.
Posted inCommunity, Housing, Land use, Law & Justice, Remaking Rent Control
Hey, Can We Talk? Mediation Might Help Reduce Evictions
Amid San Francisco’s growing housing crisis, some now see mediation as an alternative to nasty, expensive court fights to keep tenants housed and property owners content. For more than 20 years, that approach has staved off evictions in the capital of Wisconsin.
Posted inCity Hall, Elections, Homelessness, Housing, June 2018 Special Election, News
GOP Mayoral Candidate Greenberg Aims to Bring ‘More Centrist Viewpoint’ to S.F. City Hall
Once a Democrat, Richie Greenberg realized he was “in the wrong party” after failing in his 2015 bid for District 1 supervisor. Today, in a city where just 7 percent of registered voters are Republicans, he’s the odd man out in the mayor’s race as the only GOP candidate. “We don’t need activists leading this city,” he said. “We need leaders.” Fifth in a series analyzing the mayoral candidates’ records and pledges on housing and homelessness.
Posted inElections, Housing, June 2018 Special Election, Law & Justice
Proposition F: Free Legal Aid for Tenants Facing Eviction
On June 5, city voters could make history by guaranteeing legal help to anyone facing eviction, regardless of income. If Proposition F passes, it would make San Francisco the first city to pass such a law through a voter-approved initiative, and boost the national “right to counsel” movement.
Posted inCity Hall, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Social Services, Solving Homelessness: Ideas for Ending a Crisis
For Alcoholics, ‘Wet Houses’ Offer a Home
Studies have found that the 1811 Eastlake project in Seattle helps keep alcoholics off the streets and out of jails and emergency rooms — and even helps them drink less.
Posted inHealth, Homelessness, Labor, Social Services, Solving Homelessness: Ideas for Ending a Crisis
For Alcoholic Residents at Dann’s House, ‘It Feels Like Home’
On the outskirts of Traverse City, Michigan, Dann’s House provides supportive housing to eight alcoholic homeless men. Unlike most housing for the homeless, there’s no expectation that residents will stop drinking, even on-site. But their consumption is down, and their lives improved.