By Christina Tetreault
Music roars from native drums and the feathers of colorful headdresses float through the air as native dancers bless the space – one that over 200 people are now able to call home in San Francisco.
Dozens came out to celebrate the official grand opening of Casa Adelante – 681 Florida, a 9-story fossil-fuel-free building with 130 units of forever affordable housing in the Mission District developed and owned by Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) and Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC).
“This project is another collective win for affordable housing in the Mission and San Francisco. This building and these units 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.”
In attendance to the June 22nd grand opening celebration was Mayor London N. Breed, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Hillary Ronen Ana Herrera, CANA CEO Roberto Hernandez, and representatives from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) amongst other local leaders, residents, tenants and community members.
“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.”
Completed in August 2022, the $89-million dollar building was designed by local architectural firm Mithun with the goal of providing amenity-rich, family-friendly urban living.
Funding for the project came 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.
The building and space includes 39 units provided to formerly homeless families and an almost 1,000 sq. ft. performance space for Cultura y Arte Nativa de las Américas (CANA), organizers of Carnaval San Francisco, providing a new community-centered arts hub that celebrates cultural place-keeping, a goal of MEDA’s work, to sustain and promote the artistic and cultural identity of the Mission District.
The purpose behind Casa Adelante – 681 is to provide 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.”
Leave a reply