Committee advances $52.3 million state award to fund senior operating subsidies

The Budget & Finance Committee on Sept. 8 recommended that the Board accept and expand a $52.3 million standard agreement with the California Department of Housing and Community Development to support the Senior Operating Subsidy (SOS) program.

Lydia Eley, deputy for housing at the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, described the award as creating a permanent funding source to provide operating subsidies for extremely low‑income seniors (15% and 25% AMI) in pipeline projects. MOHCD said that roughly $45 million of the award is projected to fund senior pipeline projects between now and 2026, with the remainder covering program administration and a transition reserve; the office said it will commit to 15‑year subsidy contracts for units supported by the funding.

Eley said the funding will help convert vacant units in projects like the Knox SRO and other pipeline developments into permanent supportive housing with wraparound services; HSH will fund services and operating subsidies once units are complete. Committee members asked clarifying questions about annual allocations and how the state’s annual fee‑based revenue affects future availability. With no public callers, the committee advanced the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation.