Committee advances purchase of 835 Turk to create 114 units of supportive housing

The Department of Homelessness & Supportive Housing asked the Budget & Finance Committee to authorize purchase of 835 Turk Street (the Gotham Hotel) for approximately $25.6 million plus estimated closing costs ($51,000) and to seek state Homekey funding. Emily Cohen of HSH described the building as well-suited for supportive housing with 114 generously sized rooms, private bathrooms, elevator access, and common kitchen and lounge space. "This building would add 114 units to our permanent supportive housing stock for people exiting homelessness," Cohen said.

HSH explained the plan to convert the building to permanent supportive housing and to operate it with on-site services; the department expects to apply for Homekey funds to help cover acquisition and operating costs. Jennifer Bolin, legislative aide to Supervisor Preston, expressed the supervisor's strong support and said the office appreciated HSH's outreach and community engagement.

Service providers including Glide and the Homeless Emergency Service Providers Association called in to urge approval, citing lower per-unit rehab costs for hotel acquisition compared with new construction and the programmatic benefits of quick conversion to stable housing. The Budget & Finance Committee, after hearing testimony and BLA analysis that confirmed the appraisal and estimated per-unit cost, voted to forward the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The matter will next be considered by the full Board, and HSH plans to close financing and begin rehabilitation work subject to final approvals.