Roberto Hernandez is running for the District 9 city council seat in San Francisco, and he brings over 50 years of community service to the table. In a recent interview, he reiterated his commitment to supporting Asian American residents in his district. His goal is to secure more municipal resources for both the Asian and Latinx communities to tackle critical issues like public safety, housing, homelessness, and the hurdles faced by small businesses.
District 9, situated in the southeastern part of San Francisco, includes neighborhoods such as Bernal, Inner Mission, and Potrero. Known for its rich diversity, about 10% of the district’s population identifies as Asian American. While that number might seem small, many of these families are low-income and require extra support and resources.
On October 8, Roberto discussed the parallels between the Latinx and Asian communities, emphasizing the importance of mutual support. He has long been engaged with the Asian community, organizing food distributions for low-income families and spearheading initiatives to combat anti-Asian hate.
Roberto’s family has deep roots in San Francisco; his grandmother was among the city’s early arrivals. Today, he observes a dramatically transformed city where soaring housing costs and living expenses are pushing blue-collar workers and everyday families out. He cautioned that if no one advocates for these individuals, San Francisco risks losing its fundamental values, turning the “American Dream” into a “nightmare” for many immigrant families.
Over the years, Roberto has launched a variety of community initiatives. During the pandemic, he created the “Mission District Food Center” to support immigrant families who lost jobs and benefits, providing food to over 9,000 families weekly. He also initiated the nation’s first rent assistance program, raising funds to prevent evictions for thousands of households.
To ensure that the American Dream doesn’t dissolve into a nightmare, Roberto is focused on advocating for the rights of grassroots workers, pushing for housing policy reforms, and working towards fair anti-discrimination legislation. He envisions a brighter future for all immigrant families, inspired by the opportunities his grandmother carved out for him. “I will fight for every family struggling at the grassroots level,” he said, “because their dreams are my dreams.”
Roberto’s campaign has also gained significant endorsements from various Asian community leaders, reflecting a solid coalition of support behind his candidacy.
