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Photo: flickr/sfplanning

Racial and Social Equity Action Plan

When people face unnecessary barriers to success, our entire city is affected—economically, socially, and civically. San Francisco’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and ensuring that all communities have access to opportunity is essential to creating a city that is safer, more resilient, and inclusive for everyone. 

What is the Equity Plan?

The San Francisco Planning Department’s Racial & Social Equity Action Plan (“Equity Plan”) is a roadmap for advancing fairness, inclusion, and accountability in how we work and serve the public. In alignment with citywide requirements from the Office of Racial Equity, the plan helps us assess how we collaborate with communities, distribute resources, and guide land use and development – ensuring our decisions reflect the diverse needs of all San Franciscans.

As a department that shapes San Francisco’s growth and development, we’re committed to making planning more accessible, inclusive, and responsive.

The Equity Plan outlines specific goals, actions, and measures of progress to help us build a department and city that advances opportunity for all.

Why Equity Matters

Persistent inequities in housing, economic opportunity, and access to services continue to shape life in communities across San Francisco. These challenges don’t just burden those directly experiencing them – they undermine the strength and resilience of our entire city. Advancing equity opens doors to opportunity, fuels economic growth, and reinforces our civic institutions.

Honoring Our Communities

San Francisco thrives because of its people. Immigrants, communities of color, Indigenous peoples, LGBTQIA+ residents, small businesses, and working families have long shaped our culture, economy, and innovation. All communities must have a voice in shaping the city’s future. When we expand access to opportunity, we empower every community to contribute fully – making our city more vibrant, creative, and resilient.

Equity Benefits Everyone

A strong city is one where everyone can succeed. Removing barriers and supporting community-driven solutions helps build a safer, more connected, and economically vibrant San Francisco.

Inclusive government leads to better decisions and better outcomes. When our workforce reflects the people we serve, our planning becomes more responsive and our policies more effective – shaping a future grounded in the lived experiences of all who call this city home.

Our Mission and Values

We envision inclusive neighborhoods that provide everyone with the opportunity to lead fulfilling, meaningful, and healthy lives. We envision a city where public life and public spaces reflect the past, present, and future of San Franciscans. We envision a city where a person’s race does not determine their lives’ prospects and success.

We envision an inclusive Planning Department and Commissions that represent and engage the communities we serve. We envision a Department that proactively infuses racial and social equity in both internal operations and external Planning work. Together, we are reimagining what the planning field is and can be – one that is inclusive, diverse and centers racial and social equity both as a practice and as an indicator of success.

In order to achieve this broader City vision, we must do our part and address racial and social equity within the Department’s policies and practices.

Action Plan Documents

On June 11, 2020 the San Francisco Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 20738 centering the Planning Department's work program and resource allocation on racial and social equity.

On July 15, 2020, the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission adopted Resolution No. 1127 centering Preservation Planning on racial and social equity.

Timeline

The following is a chronological timeline which provides a detailed account of major milestones achieved since this effort was launched in 2016. This timeline will be updated on a reoccurring basis.

Racial and Social Equity Action Plan Timeline & Milestones:

2025 and Beyond

Progress Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Annual Updates to the Office of Racial Equity (ongoing)
  • 2-Year Evaluation (2027)
  • 5-Year Evaluation & Progress Report (2030)
2025Racial and Social Equity Action Plan Phase 2 Completion & Adoption
2024

Equity Plan Update

  • Draft Phase 2 Strategies: Equitable Planning & Community Engagement
  • 2024 Staff Culture Survey
2022

Equitable Human Resources (HR) Guidelines
Creation of key tools to improve operations

  • Equity Assessment Tool
  • Budget Equity Tool
  • Equity Dashboard
  • 2022 Staff Culture Survey 
2021Creation of the Equity Advisory Council
2020

Centering Planning & Historic Preservation on Racial and Social Equity

2019

Equity Plan Phase 1 Adopted

  • 2019 Staff Culture Survey
2018First Draft of the Equity Plan Phase 1
2017Development of Equity Plan Phase 1 (Internal Strategies) & 2017 Staff Culture Survey
2016Departmentwide Government Alliance on Race & Equity (G.A.R.E) Trainings
Past Hearings

Planning Commission
May 8, 2025

Planning Commission
January 16, 2025

Planning Commission 
September 29, 2022

Planning Commission
June 10, 2021

Planning Commission
July 30, 2020

Resources
San Francisco Resources
Other Resources
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