San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA — On June 22, Mayor London N. Breed and representatives from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) joined local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of Casa Adelante – 681 Florida Street, a 130-unit, 100% affordable housing development in the Mission District.  

The nine-story development includes 39 units for formerly homeless families and a dedicated 9,250 sq. ft. performance and studio space for Cultura y Arte Nativa de las Americas (CANA), organizers of Carnaval San Francisco, providing a new community-centered arts hub that celebrates the artistic and cultural identity of the Mission. 

“In San Francisco we are creating more housing that provides a community for individuals and families who otherwise would not be able to call San Francisco their home,” said Mayor Breed. “We need to continue our work to aggressively build housing across our entire city for people of all income levels. This work wouldn’t be possible without our local and state partners, so I want to thank TNDC, MEDA and HCD for partnering with the City to make San Francisco a place where people can live knowing they have access to the resources and support they need.” 

681 Mission St. is one of seven new 100% affordable housing developments that have broken ground in the Mission since 2018. The project’s goal of providing permanent affordable housing for moderate-income, low-income, and homeless households in San Francisco is consistent with the 2015 voter-approved General Obligation Housing Bond Proposition A, as well as the City’s Consolidated Plan, the Master Plan Housing Element, and the Department of Homelessness and Housing’s Strategic Framework goals for reducing homelessness for families. 

"I am so proud that the Mission is celebrating the latest of seven new 100% affordable housing sites in District 9 with 681 Florida Street,” said District Supervisor Hilary Ronen. “We cannot end homelessness without affordable housing projects like these and I am thrilled for these 130 life-changing homes, including 39 permanent supportive housing units for our formerly homeless residents." 

The project is a joint venture between Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) and the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA). Amenities include ample outdoor courtyard spaces and rooftop gardens offering urban agriculture programming. With onsite social workers and property management provided by TNDC and a part-time resource officer from MEDA, 681 Florida St. offers tenants diverse social services and a built-in support network to help them adjust to their new home and remain stably housed.  

“We are very excited to welcome 130 families to 681 Florida. We are also very grateful for the long-standing partnerships that made today possible,” said Maurilio León, Chief Executive Officer of TNDC. “The Mission is a dynamic community and 681 Florida is a continuation of our commitment to housing affordability and community wellness” 

“This project is another collective win for affordable housing in the Mission and San Francisco. The 130 family-friendly homes at Casa Adelante - 681 Florida provide hope and stability for people and families to not just survive, but thrive in the City for years to come,” said MEDA Executive Director Luis Granados. “We're proud to say this project represents the very best of MEDA's values which include collaboration, audacity and equity - which is always our north star. MEDA is thrilled to have a steadfast partner like TNDC to bring this project to life for a community that has advocated and relentlessly fought for affordable and dignified housing in the Mission District." 

Completed in August 2022, the nine-story fossil-fuel-free building was designed by local architecture firm Mithun with the goal of providing amenity-rich, family-friendly urban living to its residents. The $89 million project was made possible by financing from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), as well as a mix of low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, and funding from private lenders. 

“Casa Adelante will not only connect formerly homeless seniors to the services they need” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “Quality of life and connection to neighbors will be greatly enriched for these residents by the link between these 100-percent affordable apartment homes and Cultura y Arte Nativa de las Americas.”  

Original source can be found here.