Neighbors for a Better San Francisco: Launch of Blueprint Initiative
On June 18, 2025, Neighbors for a Better San Francisco unveiled a significant initiative called the "Blueprint for a Better San Francisco". Aimed at mobilizing and educating residents, this ambitious civic project seeks to bolster community engagement and address critical issues facing the city, including public safety, homelessness, the fentanyl crisis, and the need for economic recovery.
The Launch Event
The launch event attracted over 700 attendees, including notable figures such as District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, City Attorney David Chiu, and various members of the city's Board of Supervisors. This event marked the official transition from TogetherSF to Blueprint, following the two organizations’ merger. Blueprint's ambitious annual budget of $2 million will be channeled towards promoting pragmatic solutions and advocating for competent local candidates.
Jay Cheng, the executive director of Neighbors for a Better San Francisco, emphasized the initiative's importance: “San Francisco is heading in the right direction, but we can't afford to take our foot off the gas.” Cheng's sentiment was echoed by Scotty Jacobs, the Director of Blueprint, who highlighted the initiative’s goal of educating citizens about local politics and empowering them to participate constructively in government.
Challenges Facing San Francisco
Despite notable decreases in crime rates and encouraging signs of recovery, San Francisco is not free from significant challenges. The city grapples with an escalating homelessness crisis and emerging issues linked to the fentanyl epidemic, all while facing the pressure of a nearly $1 billion budget deficit. This fiscal climate necessitates the community's support for the proposed recovery budget, which Blueprint intends to champion vigorously.
Core Pillars of the Blueprint
The Blueprint initiative is structured around three foundational pillars:
Road to Recovery,
Good Government, and
A Vision of Vibrancy.
1.
Road to Recovery aims at a full recovery from the pandemic. This includes:
- Investing in safe and clean street conditions.
- Addressing mental health and addiction crises in collaboration with public safety agencies.
- Supporting public safety efforts to hold criminals accountable, with robust charging policies and effective sentencing.
The urgency of these measures is vital as the community continues to recover together.
2.
Good Government focuses on enhanced accountability and responsiveness from city officials. Key aspects include:
- Maintaining a balanced budget and ensuring city departments are well-managed.
- Implementing rigorous performance measures for city vendors and contractors to prevent issues associated with the non-profit industrial complex.
- Ensuring accountability among department heads and minimizing conflicts of interest among city employees.
3.
A Vision of Vibrancy promotes thriving neighborhoods and an engaging downtown environment. This pillar advocates for:
- High-quality public amenities, such as safe pedestrian areas and a responsive education system.
- Investment in the nightlife economy to foster economic expansion and ease of entrepreneurship by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles.
- Incentive programs designed to attract new businesses and promote economic development throughout the city.
Community Engagement and Voter Education
Upon establishing a presence in Hayes Valley, Blueprint plans to engage citizens through events like "Politics 101" educational sessions, discussions with elected officials, and re-activation of community leaders’ programs.
Looking ahead, voter education campaigns will be a cornerstone initiative leading up to the crucial 2026 elections, focusing on the school board race amid SFUSD’s fiscal challenges and ensuring appropriate representation in various supervisor districts. With a strong emphasis on helping voters navigate key judicial races based on candidate records, Blueprint aims to equip citizens with the tools they need to influence their local governance positively.
Joining the Movement
As Blueprint for a Better San Francisco enters its operational phase, it serves as a platform for San Franciscans who believe in effective governance and community participation. The movement invites residents to get involved, stay informed about local politics, and ultimately contribute to shaping a more vibrant and pragmatic San Francisco. For more information on joining or supporting the initiative, visit
sfblueprint.org.