Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Supervisor Mark Farrell today celebrated the full occupancy and complete transformation of the Edward II Inn from a bed and breakfast in the Marina/Cow Hollow to a 24-unit supportive housing site for Transitional-Age Youth (TAY), young adults ages 18 to 24 years old.  This TAY housing project comes after years of collaboration between the City, Community Housing Partnership (CHP), Larkin Street Youth Services, and several neighborhood groups to integrate the project into the neighborhood.

“San Francisco is providing our Transitional-Age Youth, who are at a crossroads in their lives, with the housing and services they need to be successful,” said Mayor Lee. “The Edward II Inn is another example of how our City is ensuring more San Franciscans share in the prosperity of our successful City.”

“The successful completion of the Edward II project highlights what can be achieved when the City, the community, and our local non-profits work together toward a common goal,” said Supervisor Farrell. “The Edward II will provide critical housing for at-risk youth, and, equally important, will also provide access to services to give its residents the skills to transition out of supportive housing. All of this is taking place in a safe, secure, and attractive building that retains its historic character.”

The Edward II Inn project is part of Mayor Lee’s target to create 400 units of TAY housing throughout San Francisco, with the goal of getting our young people off the streets and positioned for success. The housing and supportive services provided at the Edward II are consistent with the priorities identified in the 2008 Transitional-Aged Youth Initiative. In addition to housing and case management, services for young people will be provided both on-site as well as through Larkin Street’s existing medical clinic, education and employment programs.

Collaboration was a theme than ran through every aspect of the development of the Edward II Inn, and the partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) and the Human Services Agency (HSA) provided an opportunity to develop high-quality affordable housing with support services for the vulnerable TAY population. MOHCD and HSA partnered to provide both capital and operating funds for the project to ensure sufficient financing for development, maintenance, and programming. The City committed development funds to CHP for the project, which were used to leverage State and Federal funds, as well as State tax credits. Operations are supported by the City’s Local Operating Subsidy Program (LOSP), and HSA has provided grant funding to support wrap-around services through the Larkin Street Youth Center. Residents will be expected to pay 30 percent of their adjusted income in rent.

“Community Housing Partnership is excited that Edward II Inn is the first of its kind housing for Transitional- Age Youth in District 2,” said CHP Executive Director Gail Gilman. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the City to house homeless youth, families and adults in every neighborhood of San Francisco.”

The Edward II Inn was built in 1914 as a tourist hotel. The project preserved the historic fabric of the building’s exterior, and completely remodeled the interior of the building to accommodate the youth’s programmatic needs. There are now 24 units, each with private bath, plus one manager’s unit. Common space includes a kitchen, community space, and a recreation room for the youth.