After nearly seven months in office, District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood is navigating the complexities of local politics in San Francisco, attempting to strike a balance between his progressive constituents and the moderate allies who supported his campaign.
His tenure has sparked intrigue, as he occasionally aligns with more progressive colleagues on essential legislation, surprising observers accustomed to the conventional dynamics of District 5’s political landscape.
Mahmood, who rode to victory last year with the backing of affluent interest groups, has publically demonstrated his ties to progressive movements by attending anti-ICE protests and advocating against the deportation of Palestinians on humanitarian missions.
Despite this, some progressives criticize him for not pushing harder on pivotal issues. In response, Mahmood defends his “collaborative approach” as a pathway to real results.
His legislative initiatives include efforts to eradicate a for-profit halfway house in his district, located at a historic transgender rights site, and to distribute homeless shelters and treatment centers more evenly throughout the city.
In conjunction with progressive District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, Mahmood has initiated a hearing to investigate GEO Group, the company managing the controversial halfway house.
Ross Mirkarimi, a former District 5 supervisor and Green Party member who previously supported Mahmood’s opponent, Dean Preston, recognizes the supervisor’s willingness to engage in hands-on governance.
“He is demonstrating the wherewithal to roll up his sleeves to help serve his constituents,” Mirkarimi remarked, emphasizing his appreciation for Mahmood’s nonpartisan approach to local governance.
While much of Mahmood’s legislative output consists of resolutions and public hearings with less immediate impact, he stands out among first-time supervisors.
He has introduced 12 resolutions and four ordinances, including one that has been approved, surpassing the legislative efforts of many of his peers.
District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar has expressed admiration for Mahmood’s rapid acclimatization to the challenges he faces.
Mahmood’s most significant proposed legislation arose in May, in collaboration with progressive District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton.
The aim was to ban new homeless facilities within 1,000 feet of existing ones and require each district to establish a new facility by 2026. Currently, the Tenderloin and SoMa neighborhoods are densely populated with shelters, leaving other areas underserved.
However, this initiative faced amendments from Mayor Daniel Lurie, prompting Mahmood to revise his original terms.
Advocates like Rene Colorado, the leader of the Tenderloin Merchants Association, expressed concerns that the legislation lost substantial enforceability due to these modifications.
In its latest iteration, the legislation no longer mandates new shelters in neighborhoods lacking them, contrary to Mahmood’s initial promise.
Although Mahmood maintains that the mayor’s plans will prioritize the placement of new shelters in other neighborhoods, such claims remain unverified.
The revised legislation was recently approved unanimously by the Budget and Finance committee and is set to be reviewed by the full board.
Colorado argues that the Tenderloin should see no new resources for homeless services, standing firm on the need to halt concentration in this area.
In contrast, Randy Shaw, director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, voiced a desire for Mahmood to engage the community more thoroughly before making compromises with the mayor.
Shaw acknowledges that while Mahmood is still acclimatizing to his role, his negotiation style could improve.
Several supervisors, including Melgar, appreciate Mahmood’s willingness to compromise, noting their success in adjusting language within the legislation to create more equitable service distribution.
Many assert that Mahmood’s initiation of these vital discussions signifies progress, even if the legislation isn’t perfect.
Mirkarimi believes that Mahmood is raising significant issues, and the fact that discourse is occurring is crucial.
Mahmood’s predecessors lacked the collaborative spirit he has shown, with Dean Preston recognized for his combative stance on issues.
Political analyst Jim Stearns contrasts the assertiveness displayed by Preston during his first six months with Mahmood’s current approach, suggesting that Mahmood may need to adopt a more forceful stance.
Stearns raised concerns over Mahmood’s lack of opposition to cuts in Muni services, as well as his approval of a plan to reallocate $34 million in affordable housing funds.
Tenderloin People’s Congress co-founder David Elliott Lewis echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Mahmood should start dialogues on local deficiencies, like the severe shortage of supermarkets, pharmacies, and recreational spaces in the Tenderloin.
Mahmood remains focused on expediting housing development by streamlining permits—another campaign promise.
So far, two of his four ordinances have moved towards reducing building restrictions, but Mahmood has also sought a report from the Budget and Legislative Analyst to comprehensively analyze the city’s permitting framework.
According to Mahmood, this undertaking is unprecedented, yet he remains unsure of its timeline.
“The city has passed a lot of laws on permit streamlining, but we’ve made no significant progress since then,” Mahmood stated.
He emphasized the importance of understanding the barriers to progress before tackling them.
Mahmood’s resolutions, though often seen as lacking teeth, have yielded positive feedback from community members.
One such resolution, aimed at implementing the Drug Market Intervention strategy to dismantle drug markets, was approved with broad support, despite opposition from some progressives.
Mahmood expects the mayor to adopt this program, which focuses on deterring drug dealing through a combination of law enforcement and community engagement.
Additional resolutions have covered a variety of topics, including an Arab American heritage month, transit operator appreciation, and autism awareness.
Mirkarimi suggests that while enforcing change typically necessitates stronger legislation, these resolutions foster community happiness and reflect good political strategy.
Myrna Melgar has observed a significant increase in diverse community representation at City Hall since Mahmood’s rise, noting a marked engagement from women in hijabs during public comments.
Post-hearing feedback indicates growing enthusiasm for Mahmood, with advocates expressing surprise at his proactive participation regarding the GEO Group-run halfway house at 111 Taylor St.
The involvement of younger constituents illustrates a burgeoning interest in local governance, suggesting that Mahmood is making strides in bridging the gap between his office and the community.
image source from：missionlocal
