FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Contact: Mayor’s Office of Communications, 415-554-6131

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

MAYOR LONDON BREED AND LEADER NANCY PELOSI UNVEIL NEWLY RENOVATED AFFORDABLE HOUSING
City and federal partners work together to transform public housing for low-income San Franciscans

San Francisco, CA—Mayor London N. Breed and Leader Nancy Pelosi today unveiled the newly rehabilitated Sala Burton Manor, an 89-unit supportive housing building for seniors and persons with disabilities. The project is a continuation of San Francisco’s commitment to preserving and revitalizing existing affordable housing across the City.

The rehabilitation of 430 Turk Street includes increased accessibility, renovated plumbing and electrical systems, investments in energy efficiency, modernized elevators, renovated interiors, and redesigned floor plans.

“We are in a housing crisis and our City needs to build and renovate thousands of affordable units to prevent displacement and keep our most vulnerable residents securely housed. As someone who grew up in public housing, I am committed to ensuring that all of our public housing residents have a clean, safe place to live like the newly renovated Sala Burton Manor.” said Mayor Breed. “I want to thank Leader Pelosi for her essential help in making this project possible and for her steadfast support of affordable housing both in San Francisco and across the nation.”

Under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, the ownership and management of Sala Burton Manor was transferred from the San Francisco Housing Authority to the nonprofit Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) in 2015. This change allowed it to leverage local funds, tax credit financing, and private mortgages to upgrade the building.

“It is a privilege to join so many outstanding local leaders for the re-opening of the Sala Burton Manor, which beautifully honors the progressive leadership of an extraordinary champion of the working people of San Francisco,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “Sala Burton Manor is a powerful example of the profound progress that can be driven when we fully harness the power of local leaders and the federal government. Carrying on the leadership of our late Mayor Ed Lee, San Francisco and Mayor London Breed are leading the way forward for the nation, revitalizing thousands of distressed public housing units, transforming neighborhoods, and defending every person’s right to safe, modern and affordable housing. House Democrats are proud to continue to fight For The People, and to make bold, transformative investments in public housing, in American neighborhoods and communities and in our working families for generations to come.”

The funding for the project was made possible in part due to a $19.1 million tax-exempt construction loan provided by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which has invested $2.1 billion in total financing for RAD projects in San Francisco. This represents the largest affordable housing deal ever for both the bank and the nation.

The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development oversaw $1.8 million in City funds for pre-development and construction funding. San Francisco is providing over $100 million in total funding to RAD programs and 1,620 units have been renovated to date.

"I'm grateful for this important collaboration with TNDC, HUD, San Francisco Housing Authority and Bank of America to bring Sala Burton Manor up to the current standards of safety and design, providing 100 seniors and people with disabilities the homes and services they need and deserve," said Kate Hartley, Director of the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development. 

San Francisco’s RAD program provides for rigorous tenant protections. Rents continue to be calculated at 30% of income, there is no re-screening for current residents, and there is a right to return for residents who may need to relocate temporarily while their units are renovated. For this project, residents who were required to temporarily relocate continued to receive comprehensive services.

“TNDC is proud to have played a role in a community-wide effort to improve both the housing and quality of living for some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable people. It is only through the collective effort of countless individuals and institutions that we could overcome so many daunting obstacles to create a national model for revitalizing public housing,” said Donald S. Falk, CEO of Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization that houses 4,100 low-income San Franciscans in supportive communities.

Sala Burton Manor is named after the wife of California Representative Phillip Burton, who succeeded him in office after his sudden death in 1983. She served until she passed away in 1987, when she was succeeded by Leader Pelosi.

###