San Francisco approves $50M bond for affordable housing rehabilitation project

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on a significant resolution regarding affordable housing financing. Ryan Van Zylen from the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development presented the proposal for a bond issuance not to exceed $50,776,000 for the San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) Scattered Sites project. This initiative aims to fund the acquisition and rehabilitation of 69 public housing units across five locations in diverse neighborhoods, including Outer Sunset, Ingleside, Castro, and Fillmore.

The financing will be structured as conduit financing, meaning the city will not need to pledge any of its funds for repayment. The project, developed by Mission Housing Development Corporation, is designed to preserve affordability for public housing residents, with 66 units restricted to households earning 50% of the area median income. The anticipated timeline for closing the financing is February 2022, with project completion expected by August 2023.

During the meeting, Supervisor Safaie expressed support for the project, highlighting the urgent need for repairs in the aging buildings and the importance of maintaining tenant stability during renovations. He noted that many residents would be able to remain in their homes or be temporarily relocated to fully furnished units during the rehabilitation process.

Sam Moss, representing Mission Housing, emphasized the complexity of the project and the commitment to engaging with tenants through community meetings and dedicated case management. He acknowledged the historical neglect of these properties and the need for substantial investment to ensure safety and structural integrity.

Moss also highlighted the ongoing resident services that would be provided, including health services and educational support, funded through increased rental subsidies. He underscored the importance of building trust with the community and ensuring that the rehabilitation efforts would lead to long-term benefits for the residents.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of the project and the collaborative efforts between the housing authority, Mission Housing, and the Mayor's Office to improve living conditions for San Francisco's public housing residents. The next steps will involve public comments and further discussions on the implementation of the project.