San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA — Today, Mayor London N. Breed joined City officials, community leaders, and housing advocates to celebrate the grand opening of 921 Howard, a new 18-story 100% affordable housing development. Located at the corner of Fifth and Howard streets in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood near many cultural institutions, the new development is served by major public transit routes.

Increasing housing affordability for low- and moderate-income residents is a key priority in the City’s Housing Element which calls for additional funding for affordable housing production and preservation. This aligns with Mayor Breed’s Housing for All Executive Directive that sets out steps to meet the goal of allowing for 82,000 new homes to be built over eight years. 921 Howard is one of eight affordable housing projects that have completed or will complete construction between mid-2023 and the end of 2024, with an additional eight expected to be completed in the next two years.

921 Howard is an example of a “missing middle” project that creates essential housing opportunities for moderate-income households. The development offers 203 new homes for households making between 75%-120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) with an average income of 90% AMI. At approximately 205,000 square feet and standing 18 stories tall, this building is one of the largest affordable housing projects San Francisco has seen in the past decade. The project was awarded the San Francisco Business Times Real Estate Deal of the Year in 2023.

“In San Francisco, we need more housing for our middle-income residents to be able to live and thrive,” said Mayor Breed. “Projects like 921 Howard are proof that we can make great things happen when we work together to remove the barriers that get in the way of affordable housing production and focus on delivering housing at different income levels. I want to thank everyone involved in this project, including the developers, state and private funding partners, for helping us make this project a reality.”

Located within the Central SoMa Plan Area, 921 Howard is served by numerous local and regional public transit routes and is within two blocks of publicly accessible recreational and cultural facilities including Yerba Buena Gardens, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, and San Francisco Modern Art Museum. Residents also benefit from proximity to numerous retail services, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, schools, and several places of worship within walking distance.

“Today marks a significant milestone for the South of Market community as we celebrate the grand opening of 921 Howard Street,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “This remarkable 18-story tower providing more than 200 affordable housing units for moderate-income San Franciscans is a prime example of how we can address the critical ‘missing middle’ housing gap in our City. Projects like 921 Howard are essential to ensure that San Francisco remains a vibrant, diverse and equitable city for all its residents.”

In addition to providing on-site resident services such as community rooms, outdoor terraces, and indoor bike parking for residents; 921 Howard is one of nearly 100 local buildings served through the City’s Fiber to Housing program—a collaboration between San Francisco's Department of Technology (SFDT) and Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD). This program aims at bridging the digital divide by providing free high-speed internet to low- and moderate-income residents. The Fiber to Housing program will result in a service benefit estimated at $400 million over 20 years. Currently,156 residents at 921 Howard are signed up for free home internet through this program.

"I am proud that our department has partnered with the Mayor's Office to connect residents to free high-speed internet," said Michael Makstman City Chief Information Officer & Executive Director Department Technology "Internet necessity ensure kids keep school people find jobs participate online work opportunities senior residents access remote medical care As Department Technology continues bring free internet existing housing excited new buildings connected City-provided connections start"

The development was led by Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC), which has built more than forty-five buildings across seven neighborhoods in San Francisco; along with Curtis Development—a woman-owned African American company focused on mixed-use urban infill projects—and Perry Architects who designed it Swinerton Builders managed construction GreenPoint Gold-Rated certification achieved highest certifications sustainable construction

“The project at speaks Curtis Development TNDC perseverance commitment providing affordable broad spectrum income levels ranging very low-income units supported SFHA middle-income supported California Housing Finance Agency” Charmaine Curtis Principal Curtis Development

“ cost-effective ever developed added Katie Lamont Chief Finance Officer Interim Co-CEO TNDC

Major financing $1618 million provided $39 million investment MOHCD $62 million Federal tax credits $10 million California Mixed-Income Program Additional private mortgage partner equity Supporting diverse creating integrating communities exactly CalHFA’s Mixed-Income Program accomplish Tiena Johnson Hall Executive Director CalHFA gratifying collaborate MOHCD Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation public private partners much-needed ###