San Francisco, CA – Today Mayor London N. Breed announced the proposal to purchase a 42-unit building at 1174 Folsom Street for use as supportive housing for historically marginalized young adults leaving homelessness. This newest addition to the City’s portfolio of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) will provide long-term affordable housing with onsite social services to help young adult tenants access and maintain housing stability. 1174 Folsom is part of a broader commitment to address and end youth homelessness.
“We have been strategically working to prevent and end youth homelessness and this new building will provide another key tool in that mission,” said Mayor London Breed. “When we get to our young people quickly with housing and support, we save them from entering a lasting cycle of homelessness. This is key in our long-term strategy to build on our progress of reducing homelessness across our entire City.”
“As a city, we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to safe and stable housing. The purchase of this Folsom Street building will be a significant step towards fulfilling that obligation, especially for young adults who are transitioning out of homelessness," said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. "By providing not just housing but also wraparound services, we are creating a supportive environment that will help these young people build a foundation for a brighter future."
The City’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) has prioritized increasing shelter, housing, and services for young adults. HSH has:
- Expanded access points designed to engage youth and connect them to resources
- Opened the Lower Polk Youth Navigation Center to offer shelter and services
- Added rental subsidies for youth, and acquired new buildings for youth housing including Casa Esperanza and the Mission Inn.
In the last two years, this work has created 400 new housing and shelter placements, and expanded problem-solving and rental assistance for youth experiencing homelessness.
“The stabilization that housing provides in combination with critical supportive services is key to ending youth homelessness,” said Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing Director, Shireen McSpadden. “Creating this home in the SOMA community will be transformational for the 42 youth who will reside at 1174 Folsom Street. We are excited to provide these young people with dignified housing and a safe and nurturing environment in which to thrive.”
According to the 2022 Point-in-Time Count (PIT) homelessness among San Francisco young adults under 24 decreased by 16% in the last five years. Between 2019 and 2022, parenting youth households experiencing homelessness decreased by 47%.
The property at 1174 Folsom Street was selected for acquisition based on its condition, location, price, and ability to meet the needs of young people leaving homelessness. The site, which includes three retail spaces and one office, will also offer 24-hour desk coverage, property management, laundry onsite, an elevator, easy access to public transportation and individual private bathrooms, kitchens, and support services provided by a selected nonprofit provider.
PSH is affordable housing with supportive services. Tenants have their own units, their own leases, and will pay rent. The goal of the onsite services is to help tenants permanently exit homelessness through critical supports and case management.
This purchase is a part of the City’s long-term plans to help individuals exit homelessness across the City. Home by the Bay, San Francisco’s blueprint for addressing homelessness over the next five years, builds on the City’s success to increase access to shelter and housing over the last few years, which resulted in a 15% decline in unsheltered homelessness and a 3.5% decrease in overall homelessness.
Home by the Bay is founded on the pillars of equity and housing justice, quality, and innovation, and is anchored by a set of five bold goals that aim to drive significant, lasting reductions in homelessness. Achieving the plan’s vision is essential to address the current homelessness crisis unfolding on our City streets, especially for communities who continue to be impacted by structural racism and inequities, and for people whose health and lives are at risk by being unsheltered.
Please find more information about the community meeting regarding this proposed project here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscOygrj8oE9GsJ7vbdC8lZLBjqjHw_6ti#/registration
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