San Francisco's elderly population, particularly those with low to moderate income, received a notified boost recently with the acquisition of 933 Clement Street by the community-based organization Self-Help for the Elderly (SHE). The news, celebrated by Mayor London N. Breed and community leaders, signifies a crucial stride in the city's commitment to housing and essential services for its senior citizens, according to a recent press release by the City and County of San Francisco.
This ground-breaking initiative was made possible by a $4.1 million grant from the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), and an additional $2.1 million in state funding. The newly acquired site will provide housing for up to 15 low-income elderly residents requiring full-time care. Notably, the ground floor will serve as a community space for meals and activities for both residents and other local seniors. The project also plans to offer outreach stations for social services and job opportunities, with SHE actively working on realizing these initiatives.
With nearly 30% of San Francisco's residents projected to be 60 or older by 2030, this project anticipates a growing demand for such services. The city's Department of Disability and Aging Services notes the significant number of seniors who primarily speak a language other than English, many of whom belong to the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Despite the Inner Richmond neighborhood, where 933 Clement Street is located, having one of the higher percentages of AAPI elderly residents, there is currently an alarming lack of affordable culturally competent elder care facilities in the area. Consequently, this recent acquisition plays a pivotal role in addressing the pressing demand for affordable and high-quality senior care services.
To address the complexities within the senior care field, SHE, through this newest project, plans to transform the now vacant building into a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE). Here, the elderly and those living with dementia will receive 24-hour care and supervision. Anni Chung, the President and CEO of SHE, expressed her gratitude for the city's grant that will indeed make this project possible.
Projects like the 933 Clement Street development are included in the city's Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget which allocated $30 million for the acquisition and improvements of community facilities. To secure these funds, projects must first successfully negotiate a competitive selection process and meet capital improvement and acquisition requirements.
