News Releases
The latest news and announcements from Mayor London N. Breed

Board of Supervisors Approves Purchase of 333 12th Street and 685 Ellis for Permanent Supportive Housing

As part of Mayor Breed’s Homelessness Recovery Plan, the approved purchases will add 274 units of Permanent Supportive Housing

San Francisco, CA — The Board of Supervisors voted today and last week to approve the purchase of two new buildings for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). The purchase of 685 Ellis Street and 333 12th Street will add 274 units of PSH to the City’s pipeline, building on Mayor Breed’s Homelessness Recovery Plan, which calls for the largest expansion of PSH in 20 years.

Since July 2020, the City has added 1,490 new housing units and has an additional 1,054 units of PSH in the pipeline, putting the City on pace to reach 170% of Mayor Breed’s goal to acquire or lease 1,500 PSH units by the end of Fiscal Year 2021-22. Currently, more than 10,000 people live in City-funded PSH.

“We know that housing is the solution to homelessness, and as we progress on our Homelessness Recovery Plan, we need to continue doing all that we can to get people living on the street the services they need,” said Mayor Breed. “The purchase of 685 Ellis Street and 333 12th Street will not only bring us one step closer to addressing chronic homelessness but will provide our most vulnerable residents with an opportunity to become active members in their communities.”

333 12th Street: Approved by the Board last week, 333 12th Street, also known as City Gardens, will add 200 family PSH units, which range from two-five bedrooms, to the City’s portfolio. The purchase of 333 12th Street will be the first building acquired since July 2020 fully dedicated to families leaving homelessness.

685 Ellis Street: Approved today, 685 Ellis Street, currently being used as a Shelter-in-Place hotel, includes 74 units to support adults exiting homelessness. Each room will have a private bathroom and kitchenette in addition to other on-site amenities.

Both buildings will include on-site social services, 24/7 staffing, and professional property management.

“These new PSH buildings are a great example of advancing Mayor Breed’s Homelessness Recovery Plan,” said Shireen McSpadden, Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. “City Gardens serves as a model of the type of housing we need – larger rooms with shared common spaces to build community. 685 Ellis is another great example of this idea of mixing private/common spaces – private rooms and bathrooms, and larger common rooms for community. Both reflect the mayor’s emphasis on housing with support.”

Every night, the City provides shelter and housing to over 14,000 homeless and formerly homeless people. To date, the City has been awarded state Homekey funding in the amount of nearly $140 million for the acquisition, rehab, and operations of four new permanent housing buildings.

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