The limitations of affordable housing funds are apparent in San Francisco, raising the question of where and how the process of building affordable housing can be improved.
"Almost all of the money San Francisco dedicated to building new affordable housing in the Mission District has been allocated to a single project that will cost some $300,000 per unit in city funds," reports Joe Rivano Barros.
The money came from a $310 million housing bond approved by voters in November 2015. $50 million of that bond was allotted for the heavily contested Mission District. Of that total, $43 million "will go to a recently-approved fully affordable 143-unit project at 1990 Folsom St. on the corner of 16th Street."
"That leaves just $7 million for future spending in the neighborhood, since all of the other funds in the housing bond for new construction have already been allocated to other housing projects citywide," adds Barros. The $43 million from the city doesn’t even pay half the price tag for the new building, which will total $103 million for 143 units when all is said and done.
FULL STORY: Mission Affordable Housing Funds Almost All Spent
Op-Ed: Housing Could Have Fared Better in San Francisco Election
This month's election yielded mixed results on housing. The pros: a solid victory for pro-housing Mayor London Breed and two affordable housing measures. The con: likely more anti-housing sentiment on the Board of Supervisors.
San Francisco Voters Express Frustration with Tent Living
Voters appear to have passed the most contentious ballot measure in San Francisco, Proposition Q, that allows city workers to remove tent encampments if shelter is available. Voters in other Bay Area counties passed taxes for affordable housing.
San Francisco Election Results: Airbnb Regulations, Mission Moratorium, Housing Bond
San Francisco voters rejected a moratorium on market rate housing in The Mission (Prop. I) and tighter restrictions on Airbnb (Prop. F), while approving the city's largest-ever housing bond (Prop. H) and a large mixed-use development.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont