Photo by Alain McLaughlin. Website.
Christopher Gil
Associate Director of Marketing and Communications
Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)
(415) 282-3334 ext. 152
cgil@medasf.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2018
Groundbreaking For Casa Adelante – 1296 Shotwell Affordable Housing for Seniors
First 100 percent affordable housing in San Francisco’s Mission District in a decade
San Francisco — With shovels in hand, City officials, partners, community members and staff from San Francisco nonprofits Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) and Chinatown Community Development Center (Chinatown CDC) turned more than soil on June 20. They also turned the curve on the gap of affordable housing in the rapidly gentrifying Mission District of San Francisco. The first building to break ground in over a decade, Casa Adelante-1296 Shotwell will comprise 94 affordable apartment rentals for some of the City’s most vulnerable residents: our seniors. Seventy-four of the units will be for seniors living on no more than 50 percent of San Francisco Area Median Income. Additionally, 19 of the apartments are slated to become a home for seniors experiencing homelessness.
“Today marks an extremely important milestone — the beginning of construction on a high-quality housing development in the Mission neighborhood for low-income and homeless seniors,” said Mayor Mark Farrell. “We want to make sure that all seniors can live with dignity, and Casa Adelante – 1296 Shotwell will allow just that — a permanent home, with caring management and services, that is built and owned by two community-based developers, MEDA and Chinatown CDC.”
MEDA and Chinatown CDC were selected as the joint-venture nonprofit developers of 1296 Shotwell by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD). The development has been made possible by financing from the San Francisco voter approved 2015 General Obligation Housing Bond for Affordable Housing Program, San Francisco Affordable Housing Fund, and HOME funds from HUD.
“MOHCD extends its sincere thanks to San Francisco voters, whose ‘yes’ vote on Proposition A in 2015 made Casa Adelante – 1296 Shotwell possible. We also thank MEDA and Chinatown CDC for their hard work and look forward to celebrating with them and the Mission community at the grand opening,” said Kate Hartley (photo, right), Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development.
This development was a long time in the making, with MOHCD obtaining the site through a land dedication back in 2013 from the developer of Vida and adjacent Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – New Mission. The 85-foot-high, nine-story Casa Adelante-1296 Shotwell was the first — and only project, so far — to use the San Francisco Affordable Housing Bonus Program to achieve a 30 percent increase in density.
Conceptualized to be more than much-needed affordable housing for seniors, renowned Herman Coliver Locus Architects based designs on feedback garnered at community meetings to integrate pedestrian safety, security for residents, and amenities that encourage activities for seniors. There will be staff offices, rooftop terraces and landscaped courtyards, a spacious community room with kitchen, 22 bicycle storage spaces, a solar hot-water system and a communal laundry room.
Explains MEDA Director of Community Real Estate Karoleen Feng (photo, fourth right), “Casa Adelante-1296 Shotwell is the first of five affordable-housing developments in our organization’s pipeline. This groundbreaking represents more than one building: It represents a change in the narrative in the Mission, as there are solutions and options for affordable housing. MEDA is honored that in conjunction with our valued partner, Chinatown CDC, there will be almost 100 seniors who can now age in place with dignity.”
That statement is echoed by Rev. Norman Fong, Executive Director of Chinatown CDC (photo, fourth left), “Today’s groundbreaking is an important moment for our community. Casa Adelante-1296 Shotwell is a great example of working together with the public, private, nonprofit sectors and our community to make it possible to bring quality, affordable housing for seniors so that they can continue to live and thrive in San Francisco.”
The development is also supported by the following invaluable partners: Cahill Contractors LLC; California Community Reinvestment Corporation; California Debt Limit Allocation Committee; California Municipal Finance Authority; California Tax Credit Allocation Committee; Clarke & Soffa; Raymond James Tax Credit Funds Inc.; the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and Silicon Valley Bank.
Casa Adelante-1296 Shotwell has an expected move-in date of Q2 2020.
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About Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)
Rooted in the Mission and focused on San Francisco, MEDA’s mission is to strengthen low- and moderate-income Latino families by promoting economic equity and social justice through asset building and community development. medasf.org
About Chinatown Community Development Center (Chinatown CDC)
The mission of the Chinatown Community Development Center is to build community and enhance the quality of life for San Francisco residents. chinatowncdc.org
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