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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why did Mercy Housing California choose the 1633 Valencia site?

Sequoia Living, a local nonprofit provider of senior housing and assisted living, acquired a one-acre parcel of land located in the Mission-Bernal neighborhoods of San Francisco in the winter of 2022. MHC now has the opportunity to develop part of the site for a new permanent supportive housing community. On the other half of the site, Sequoia Living proposes to develop a 125-unit affordable senior housing community.

For more information about Sequoia Living, please visit their website at https://sequoialiving.org/

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Why do we need permanent supportive housing?

Based on the 2022 Point-in-Time Count:

- the leading causes of homelessness are job loss, eviction, and alcohol or drug use in the homeless population in San Francisco

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[San Francisco Department of] Homeless and Supportive Housing estimates that while 7,754 homeless individuals were observed on the night of the [2022] PIT Count, as many as 20,000 individuals may experience homelessness in San Francisco over the course of a full year. Analysis of these figures suggest that for every household San Francisco is able to permanently house through its Homelessness Response System, approximately four households become homeless. When the need exceeds available local resources, households unable to resolve homelessness on their own may need to leave San Francisco or remain homeless for long periods of time

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- Thirty percent (30%) of survey respondents identified their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latin(a)(o)(x); a higher rate when compared to the general population of San Francisco (16%). This represents a significant increase since 2019, when 18% of survey respondents identified as Hispanic or Latin(a)(o)(x)

 

- Coordinated Entry has expanded to serve adults, families, and youth through 11 geographically diverse Access Points throughout the City one of which will be opening in fiscal year 2022-2023 focusing on the Latinx community in the Mission District. 

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What is the planning process for the 1633 Valencia development?

Mercy Housing applied for entitlements in Winter 2022 through the Affordable Housing Streamlined Approval process, under Senate Bill 35 (SB35), which allows for a ministerial review of a Planning Application. A development qualifies for SB35 if it consists of 50% or more affordable housing, is in basic compliance with the Planning Code, and involves no demolition of housing units or a historic structure. The ministerial planning review process allows the Planning Department to approve the applications without a Planning Commission public hearing, since only developments that are essentially in compliance with the Planning Code are allowed to apply under the Affordable Housing Streamlined Approval process.

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Who is the design team for this development? 

The architects and general contractor for 1633 Valencia are David Baker Architects and Cahill Contractors.

 

David Baker Architects is a progressive architecture firm located in San Francisco, Oakland, and Birmingham, Alabama, that creates acclaimed buildings in urban environments. DBA is known for exceptional housing, creative site strategies, designing for density, and integrating new construction into the public realm. They have a passion for and deep understanding of the power of humane and respectful environments to transform neighborhoods and elevate the lives of individuals and families. To learn more about David Baker Architects, please click on their website at https://www.dbarchitect.com/.

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Cahill Contractors has been building with quality and integrity for over 100 years. As a local Bay Area firm, they have a successful track record of partnering with disadvantaged and small/ local businesses to deliver all types of construction with quality and efficiency.  Cahill has helped construct a wide range of affordable housing developments in San Francisco. To learn more, please click on their website at https://cahill-sf.com/.

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How do I apply to live at 1633 Valencia?

Information about resident qualifications and the lease-up process will be posted to the website at a future date. For specific questions regarding occupancy, please send them through the Contact page on this website.

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How can I get updates about this project? 

For updates on the project, please visit this website regularly, join our contact list, and use the Contact page to request additional information.

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Planning Process
Design Team
Acquire site
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