San Francisco Mega-Project Sets the 'Affordable' Bar High

A mega-project in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood is exciting for its size an prize tag—and remarkable for the income levels that define "affordable" in San Francisco these days.

1 minute read

November 17, 2015, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Francisco

kropic1 / Shutterstock

Cory Weinberg reports on the 5M mega-project on the way in San Francisco, after a key political victory that paved the way for its approval by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

The victory came in the shape of an agreement to build more apartments "dedicated to middle class residents." The $690 million project will now become "the largest ever affordable housing commitment that a San Francisco developer has made for a project built on private land."

Weinberg explains how the development will achieve its affordability targets: "40 percent of the units that will get built as a part of the project won’t be priced at market rate, and they will range in affordability. For instance, some units at an off-site Tenderloin affordable building will be reserved for formerly homeless residents, while a family of four making $152,850 a year would qualify for one of the middle-income units at one of the Fifth and Mission buildings."

The key phrase in there is "range in affordability," exemplified by the $152,850 annual salary being considered in the range of affordable anywhere on this planet.

For more on the project, including pretty renderings and more on some of the political process that got the development to this point, Curbed SF has been following the project closely for months.

Monday, November 9, 2015 in San Francisco Business Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

View of cars in traffic from behind with visible tailpipe emissions

House Moves to Rescind California’s Emissions Standards

The state has been allowed to set its own emissions goals, including a mandate to transition to electric or zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.

May 5 - Streetsblog California

View of Portland skyline with green trees in foreground.

Portland Proposal Would Suspend Development Fees to Spur Housing Construction

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced their policy plan Thursday, with the goal to jumpstart housing construction.

May 5 - Oregon Capital Chronicle

Honolulu Community College building.

Honolulu Community College Celebrates Culture and Sustainability

Honolulu Community College brought together more than 320 students, staff, and community members for a day of Hawaiian cultural activities, music, and sustainability-focused learning at its annual Hoʻolauleʻa celebration.

May 5 - University of Hawai'i News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO