London Breed

London Breed
City of San Francisco · Public domain · source
Name	London Breed
Birth date	11 August 1974
Birth place	San Francisco
Occupation	Politician
Office	45th Mayor of San Francisco
Term start	April 11, 2018
Predecessor	Mark Farrell
Party	Democratic Party

London Breed is an American politician who serves as the 45th mayor of San Francisco. She previously represented District 5 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and was President of the Board. Breed's tenure has focused on housing, homelessness, public safety, and pandemic response, intersecting with citywide institutions such as the San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco Police Department, and regional bodies like the Association of Bay Area Governments.

Early life and education

Breed was born and raised in San Francisco's Western Addition and survived the 1990s era of urban change that included displacement related to redevelopment projects tied to local policies and national trends such as those debated in Housing Act of 1949 contexts. She attended San Francisco State University, studying business administration and gaining experience with nonprofit organizations connected to United Way and community development. Early mentors and figures in her life included leaders from neighborhood associations and advocacy groups that worked alongside institutions like the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and service providers such as Department of Children and Families.

Political career

Breed was first elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2012 representing District 5, a district encompassing neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury, Western Addition, and Alamo Square. As a supervisor she was involved with legislative matters touching agencies such as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and boards that coordinate with regional entities including Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Caltrain. In 2015 Breed was elected President of the Board of Supervisors, a role that connected her with figures such as Gavin Newsom, Ed Lee, and later peers including Mark Farrell and London Breed's successor?—she later ran in the 2018 mayoral special election triggered by the death of Mayor Ed Lee.

During her time on the Board, Breed sponsored and supported ordinances involving neighborhood planning, tenant protections that referenced statewide statutes like the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act debates, and collaborations with community organizations including Tenderloin Housing Clinic and Eviction Defense Collaborative.

Mayoralty of San Francisco

Breed became acting mayor after the interim appointment of Mark Farrell and won the 2018 special mayoral election, later securing reelection in 2019. As mayor she has engaged with federal and state actors, including meetings with officials from the California State Legislature, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Her administration works with city departments like the San Francisco Fire Department and the San Francisco Department of Public Health on emergency response and public safety initiatives.

Breed has participated in regional coalitions with leaders from Oakland, San Jose, and the California Governor's office to coordinate policy on issues including homelessness and transportation infrastructure tied to projects like Transbay Transit Center and Central Subway.

Policies and initiatives

Breed's policy agenda has prioritized increasing housing production and streamlining permitting through local changes that interact with state laws such as SB 35 and funding mechanisms like Measure A-style local bonds. Her administration launched programs linking the San Francisco Housing Authority with nonprofit developers including Mercy Housing and Related Companies to create affordable units and supportive housing.

On homelessness, Breed advanced interventions combining city services such as Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing operations, outreach contracts with providers like Hamilton Families, and encampment sanitation managed alongside Public Works. Public safety initiatives under her leadership involved partnerships with the San Francisco Police Department and pilot programs connecting law enforcement with behavioral health teams from the Department of Public Health.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Breed implemented local public health directives in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and state orders from the California Department of Public Health. Economic recovery efforts included supporting small business relief programs linked to organizations such as the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and neighborhood business improvement districts like the Union Square BID.

Controversies and criticism

Breed's administration has faced criticism from advocacy groups, labor unions like SEIU Local 1021, tenant organizations such as Tenant Associations in San Francisco, and civil liberties groups including ACLU of Northern California over issues ranging from homelessness sweeps, police accountability tied to debates involving the San Francisco Police Commission, and campaign finance ethics. Her policy to clear encampments drew scrutiny from organizations including Coalition on Homelessness (San Francisco) and prompted legal challenges involving the San Francisco Superior Court.

Breed has also contended with scrutiny over family property disclosures and campaign fundraising practices that were examined by local watchdogs and media outlets such as the San Francisco Chronicle and The San Francisco Examiner. Labor disputes and negotiations with municipal unions including International Longshore and Warehouse Union-affiliated locals and municipal employee unions have produced criticism from right- and left-leaning political groups in the city.

Personal life and affiliations

Breed is a member of the Democratic Party and has associations with civic groups and nonprofits across San Francisco, including partnerships with organizations like United Way Bay Area and neighborhood advocacy groups in the Haight-Ashbury and Western Addition communities. She has participated in events hosted by institutions such as San Francisco State University, faith-based partners, and service providers addressing youth and family services.

Breed's personal background as a San Francisco native has been highlighted in interactions with cultural institutions including Museum of the African Diaspora and community festivals like Fillmore Jazz Festival. She maintains private family ties and resides within the city she governs.

Category:Mayors of San Francisco Category:Living people Category:1974 births