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.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service