Randy Shaw

Randy Shaw is the Editor of Beyond Chron and the Director of San Francisco’s Tenderloin Housing Clinic, which publishes Beyond Chron. Shaw's new book is the revised and updated, The Tenderloin: Sex, Crime and Resistance in the Heart of San Francisco. His prior books include Generation Priced Out: Who Gets to Live in the New Urban America. The Activist's Handbook: Winning Social Change in the 21st Century, and Beyond the Fields: Cesar Chavez, the UFW and the Struggle for Justice in the 21st Century.

Articles by Randy Shaw

The Tenderloin Deserves A Fresh Look

Posted May 26, 2026 by

Promoting the Tenderloin’s Revival The Tenderloin’s sidewalk drug activities are finally declining. Stores that were fronts for illegal activities have been closed. Long troubled blocks have been cleared. Problems remain, but unfairly negative perceptions of the Tenderloin are slowing the<br> Read More »

Why Natalie Gee Can Win in SF’s D4

Posted May 26, 2026 by

I wrote in March that Natalie Gee could win in D4. Having followed the D4 campaigns, I am even more convinced this can happen. Here’s why. Gee is Most Dynamic Candidate Natalie Gee is the most dynamic candidate in the<br> Read More »

Tom Steyer is Clear Progressive Choice

Posted May 18, 2026 by

Will Democrats Take Top Two? California’s Governor’s race has shifted. The risk of two Republicans topping the field has sharply declined. Xavier Becerra is first or second in recent polls with Tom Steyer close behind; both could make the November<br> Read More »

Connie Chan Should Make Runoff

Posted May 18, 2026 by

Chan Has Earned Progressive Support (Editors Note: Nancy Pelosi has now endorsed Connie Chan) With polls showing Scott Wiener far ahead in San Francisco’s race for Congress, the only question is whether he faces Connie Chan or Saikat Chakrabarti in<br> Read More »

Harm Reduction Fails San Francisco

Posted May 11, 2026 by

A Tale of Two San Francisco’s Sidewalk drug users do more than hurt San Francisco’s image—they also undermine the city’s remaining low-income and working-class neighborhoods. Communities our elected officials continually vow to protect. Harm reduction policies targeted to street addicts<br> Read More »

The Truth About SF’s Prop B

Posted May 11, 2026 by

Rose Pak Demanded Peskin Run in 2015 San Francisco’s Prop B falsely claims that a “loophole” in a 1990 term limits ballot measure opens the door for supervisors to avoid a lifetime ban. The San Francisco Chronicle, Mission Local and<br> Read More »

What Is San Francisco’s Homeless Strategy?

Posted April 13, 2026 by

Shifting Away from Permanent Supportive Housing San Francisco will soon announce plans to “decommission” four city-funded permanent supportive housing sites. The city plans to reveal specifics by April 30 but it appears the Lurie Administration is more focused on scaling<br> Read More »