A proposed project in San Francisco would convert an existing 106-unit residential building at 1035 Van Ness Avenue into a 124-unit fully affordable building. The units will be classified as Affordable Permanent Supportive Housing, a model combining affordable housing with supportive services to help individuals with disabilities or special circumstances preventing them from finding long-term housing. The project is brought by the veteran-focused non-profit Swords to Plowshares.
The project will add a moderate densification of 18 new units to the property, with layouts and unit plans designed by Saida + Sullivan Design Partners. 16 of the units that were previously removed without a permit by the previous building’s owner and 2 units will be created from previously non-residential spaces of the building. All units will have will be self-sufficient, with a bathroom, refrigerator, stovetop, and sink. However, 66 will become studio dwelling units with built-in stove tops and ducted hoods, while the remaining 58 units will be SRO units furnished with plug-in burners and cooking appliances.
1035 Van Ness Avenue Sample Floorplan, image by Saida + Sullivan Design Partners
The project is located on the corner of Van Ness Avenue and Geary Street, with excellent access to all forms of public transportation supporting the densification. The surrounding area of San Francisco has seen a lot of new affordable projects and conversions. In particular, the nearby Tenderloin neighborhood has a lot of similar SRO units.
1035 Van Ness Avenue Current Condition, image via Google Street View
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
I think that’s a great idea for this space, and the level of housing that SF so desperately needs.
That photo is hardly the building’s current condition. It appears to be years ago when the Van ness BRT was still under construction and the old TV station building was next door.
Frankly, one such facility on Van Ness is OK, but the city needs to fight against continuing to create ghettos of poor people in certain areas while the areas where the officialdom lives remain pristine. The reference in this piece to the Tenderloin is scary. As far as I’m concerned, the existence of the Tenderloin and all the various forms of subsidized and poor people housing therein is a good reason NOT to build another facility nearby. Put it in the Marina or Noe Valley or Cow Hollow. I know this is a conversion, not new build and convertible buildings probably don’t exist in those neighborhoods, but the use for which this facility was built–assisted living for seniors–remains a need in San Francisco and it’s at a great location for just that: Across the street from a hospital. I’d say rehab it still as assisted living.
Fully agree. Distribute government & social-service housing. Stop amassing in a few neighborhoods. The balance has been tipped.
Anyone home?
Well, I would say that from all indications, The Mayor doesn’t agree.
While the above project is for Permanent Supportive Housing and not a shelter, multiple local media outlets are reporting that Lurie is now actively trying to sabotage Supervisor Mahmood’s legislation that will mandate each district have at least one shelter or behavioral health facility.
In interpret that to mean that The Mayor’s wealthy friends have whispered in his ear that if he wants donations from private parties to fund his priorities in an era of multi-million dollar budget deficits, he’ll have to keep shelters and similar types of housing out of the neighborhoods where his benefactors live.