FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2025
Chinatown CDC and MEDA Celebrate Groundbreaking of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a New Affordable Housing Development in San Francisco’s Mission District
With 168 affordable units and on-site community services, the development marks a significant step toward housing stability and economic mobility in the Mission.
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) celebrated the groundbreaking of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168 units 100 percent affordable housing development for families and individuals. 42 of the units will be assigned to formerly homeless families through the Local Operating Subsidy Program (LOSP.) Additionally, 5 PLUS Housing Program units will be dedicated to persons living with HIV.
“We must urgently build more housing to make sure the next generation of San Franciscans can afford to raise their kids here,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness brings 168 units of 100% affordable housing to the Mission—opening doors for families who need it most. I’m grateful to the civic leaders, community advocates, and private partners who made this possible and helped move San Francisco forward.”
Previously owned and occupied by McMillan Electric Company until 2015, the City and County of San Francisco purchased 1515 South Van Ness Avenue in June 2019 with the intent of developing new affordable housing. In November 2020, the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) released a Multi-site Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified developers to build affordable housing on the site, and subsequently selected CCDC and MEDA in May 2021 to develop the site.
“Five years ago, we celebrated the opening of Casa Adelante – 1296 Shotwell, which brought safe, stable homes to senior residents in the Mission,” said MEDA Chief Executive Officer Luis Granados. “Today, we’re building on that legacy with another transformative development—one that not only creates affordable homes, but also anchors vital community resources like early childhood education and workforce support. This project reflects our place-based strategy for housing stabilization in the Mission District and opens pathways to economic mobility for families, individuals, and small businesses. It’s a testament to what’s possible when community vision is honored and funders invest in innovative, community-rooted developments that strengthen neighborhoods for generations to come.”
The community will benefit from 9,000 square feet of commercial space, including an Early Childhood Education Center operated by Wu Yee Children’s Services and the Nuevo Sol Day Laborer and Domestic Worker Center.
“Chinatown CDC is proud to once again partner with the Mission Economic Development Agency and the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development on this incredible project at 1515 South Van Ness—the largest affordable housing development in the Mission in two decades,” said Chinatown CDC Executive Director Malcolm Yeung. “This milestone is the result of years of strong community advocacy. More than just housing—it brings vital resources like a Wu Yee Head Start center, support services for day laborers, and creates an intergenerational campus alongside the affordable senior housing developed by Chinatown CDC and MEDA right next door. This is what’s possible when communities of color are trusted and resourced to build what they know their neighborhoods truly need.”
The architectural design team for the development comprises David Baker Architects (DBA) and Y.A. studio (YA). The general contractor for the project is a joint venture partnership between Guzman Construction Group & Marinship Development Interests.
Public and private partners supporting the development include the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (via the Multi-Family Housing Program), JPMorgan Chase, Raymond James, and Housing Trust Silicon Valley.
“When you think about the intergenerational dynamics that happen in a community—child care, jobs, housing, health care—those elements are all wrapped into what this project is going to be,” said Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH.) “It is incredible to contribute to all of the incredible work that this community does every single day”.
Casa Adelante, located at 1515 South Van Ness, will be conveniently situated next to Casa Adelante – 1296 Shotwell. This senior affordable housing development, which first opened its doors in 2020, marked the initial collaborative effort between the CCDC and MEDA. The successful partnership between these two organizations has continued, with another joint project, Casa Adelante – 2060 Folsom, located in the heart of the Mission District.
“We are honored to support CCDC and MEDA in their steadfast dedication to developing much-needed housing throughout San Francisco, fostering lasting impact and brighter futures for our communities,” said James Vossoughi, Executive Director of JPMorgan Chase Community Development Banking, a supporter of the development. “With community spaces such as a garden, computer lab, and early childhood education center, Casa Adelante will be more than just housing—it will be a foundation for growth and support.”
“ Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness is Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments, Inc. (RJAHI) second investment in the Mission District along with the 1296 Shotwell property and I am proud to announce that it is RJAHI’S largest investment to date in a single affordable housing community,” said Kevin Kilbane, Raymond James Managing Director, West Coast Acquisitions. “We are thrilled to have made this investment in partnership with the Chinatown CDC and MEDA team. It takes a village to successfully tackle a project like this and the Chinatown CDC/MEDA team’s unwavering commitment to provide high quality affordable housing to the Mission District community is the reason why this project came to fruition.”
“This new project will transform our community here in the Mission with our valued partners MEDA and CCDC,” said Nick Friend, Chief Lending Officer at Housing Trust Silicon Valley. ”Housing Trust is honored to have provided construction-to-permanent financing through the Apple Affordable Housing Fund for this unique, much-needed project for our neighbors in San Francisco. When we use public and private funding to create more equitable, affordable communities, great things happen!”
Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness is projected for completion in Spring 2027.
Watch SFGov.TV broadcast of the groundbreaking.
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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 families by promoting prosperity 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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