Change my location 
|
|
Article History There are updates to this article.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - The plan to rebuild San Francisco’s most troubled and decrepit public housing sites is moving forward with nine developers applying to rebuild the sites.
The idea of creating a local version of the federal Hope IV program — which provides funds to local housing authorities to rebuild dilapidated housing projects was planted during the tenure of former Mayor Willie Brown. Mayor Gavin Newsom, however, has championed the idea of rebuilding public housing units within new mixed-income developments and last year allocated $5 million within The City’s budget to help pay for $95 million in bonds that would fund initial rebuilds.
The San Francisco Housing Authority, which manages more than 6,400 housing units for low-income residents, has seen its federal funding dwindle over the years, which has led to poor housing conditions. The housing is estimated to be in need of repairs of more than $269 million.
The funding from the bond would pay for the rebuild of up to 900 units of public housing along with up to 400 new below market rate homes and up to 900 market-rate homes, according to a release from the Mayor’s Office of Housing.
The first public housing site to undergo a rebuild is Hunters View, a 267-unit complex in the Bayview district, said Doug Shoemaker, from the Mayor’s Office of Housing.
“There’s a strong desire to see a project in the southeast sector,” he said.
Looking forward, the housing authority has also received development proposals for the following public housing sites: Portrero Terrace; Potrero Annex, Sunnydale; Velasco, Westbrook; Hunters Point A East, and Westside Courts. A panel that includes members from the housing authority, the Mayor’s Office of Housing and San Francisco’s redevelopment agency will evaluate the responses and make recommendations.
 Not ranked |
 EMAIL ME THIS STORY |
ARTICLE HISTORY 
Comments from Examiner Readers
2:22 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 13, 2008 re: "Remodels for public housing are closer to becoming reality"
Report as inappropriate
11:28 AM MST on Sun., Mar. 9, 2008
re: "Families in public housing face streets for late rent"
Report as inappropriate
2:59 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008
re: "Families in public housing face streets for late rent"
Report as inappropriate
2:08 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008
re: "Families in public housing face streets for late rent"
Report as inappropriate
1:02 PM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008
re: "Families in public housing face streets for late rent"
Report as inappropriate
9:51 AM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008
re: "Families in public housing face streets for late rent"
Report as inappropriate
5:51 AM MST on Thu., Mar. 6, 2008
re: "Families in public housing face streets for late rent"
Report as inappropriate
Examiner Reader said:
I would love to see any of you that are making these ignarant remarks come to the projects and survive one week there. People live there because they have too, Not want to. Violence, Drugs, Crime and all the crappy 'apartments' do not make up for such a low rent. If a gunshot breaks your window, It gets tacked on your rent. If the police break down your door by mistake, It gets tacked on your rent, And it goes on and on. I welcome any of you to simply come in the neghborhood, COme on, I will leave my broken light on for you...
2 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
What none of you seem to realize is that maybe you pay rent for units that are habitable (and have ways of fighting your landlord if there are problems) that these tenants do not have. Some of these houses are completely uninhabitable, but they have to continue to pay rent, ususally miscalculated and above what they can afford to pay for. They also have maintanence charges that you, as a private renter, would not face and are later tacked onto their rent. As for why they have lived there for 10+ years, isn't it obvious to anyone living in the city that there just isn't enough jobs and affordable housing in this city and that poverty is a cycle. The ignorance of actual circumstances at these projects is astounding, and your misconceptions are appalling.
2 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
More handouts? A gift card? Oh my gawd. “Every time I go to work I pray to God that I don’t see an [eviction notice] on my door when I come home,” said Fala Satele, 45, who lives in Alice Griffith. Does the hubby not work?
0 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
reader said:
The folks in the photo appear to have no problem getting food. I hope the gift card isn't for fast food. I can't really see why these people are in need of more handouts.
0 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
The families who are late (or non-existent) in paying rent SHOULD be receiving notices, late fees and ultimately evictions. Or is government housing meant to be a gift...don't worry about consequences, just do what you want.
0 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
These people are being rewarded for paying rent on time!? Why are people being allowed to live in public housing for 10+ years anyway? Why should they work for something better when they can have a roof over their head for dirt cheap, not pay on time or pay at all with no reprecussions?
2 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
The Informer said:
Nobody gives me a "$150 gift card" if I pay my rent on time......I get to live in my room/apartment for another month, when I pay for it. That's my incentive. Who, personally one-on-one helps these people budget properly? Rent is always first paid, then transportation, then food and utilities. If any money is left it can be used to pay other bills. I guess years of bad financial habits can't be solved by coddling some people.
9 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree