San Francisco is marking a significant milestone with completing two new affordable housing developments at Sunnydale, which are part of the city's ambitious HOPE SF Initiative. The initiative is nationally recognized as the first extensive effort to revitalize communities through mixed-income housing and community services without displacing current tenants. In a celebration of progress, the city recognized the "topping off" of the latest construction phases, Sunnydale 3A and 3B, by placing the final beam on these developments, according to official announcements.
HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez highlighted the significance of the developments, stating, "Sunnydale provides a great example of HCD’s funding programs working in tandem to help a very important, shovel-ready project break ground quickly—and to get the needed infrastructure improvements in place to support the community." The projects aim to transform the look of public housing and better connect residents with various services, resources, and transit options, opening up a world of opportunity for them.
Working collaboratively, Mercy Housing and Related California, the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development, and the San Francisco Housing Authority are steering the reshaping of the Sunnydale-Velasco public housing project into a dynamic mixed-income and mixed-use area.
The two new buildings, featuring 170 affordable units, are dedicated primarily to low- and very low-income individuals, with 75 percent of units specially reserved for current public housing residents. These units have been funded by more than $65 million sourced from multiple HCD programs, including the California Housing Accelerator and Infrastructure Grant Catalytic, as well as the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities programs. This is all part of the master plan, which also promises to eventually deliver new streets, infrastructure, health and wellness centers, an early childhood education center, grocery stores, retail spaces, open areas, and other community amenities over the 50-acre Sunnydale site, transforming it into a wholesome neighborhood.
The revitalization project aims to offer 775 rebuilt public housing units and 1,000 new affordable and market-rate homes, signifying a major step forward for San Francisco's housing landscape.
