SFHA, John Stewart say Plaza East repairs complete for 188 units after revolving loan

Housing Authority staff and John Stewart Company told the Housing Authority Board on Feb. 8 that a multi-year repairs effort at Plaza East has reached a milestone with 188 units completed.

The presentation, delivered by Shannon Cobra Jackson of John Stewart Company and SFHA staff, credited a $2,698,000 grant from MOACD and a $160,000 revolving loan from the authority for helping accelerate repairs. "In January, we finished our final unit. That took a lot of work ... we were able to complete a total of 188 units," Jackson said.

Why it matters: staff said the work removed mold and other habitability issues and improved residents’ living conditions. The contractors reported 132 work orders opened and 128 closed in December, with an average closure time of two days and three emergency work orders completed with an average response of seven hours. Staff said annual unit inspections (15% of units per month for seven months) will increase recorded work orders but improve preventative maintenance.

Commissioners and staff discussed coordination between routine maintenance and use of capital dollars. SFHA leaders said the annual inspections will identify repairs that intersect with planned capital spending and stressed collaboration between maintenance, the sustainable director and the CFO to ensure capital allocations address the most urgent building needs.

Board members praised the team for completing the repairs and flagged continued day-to-day service needs. CEO Lehi Joo and commissioners said the authority will continue outreach and communications to residents about inspections and services.

The board did not take a formal vote on the update; staff said they will provide follow-up discussions on resident communications and capital alignment.