Case Study: San Francisco Housing Crisis Blueprints for Solutions
San Francisco is one of the epicenters of severe housing shortages in the United States. With exorbitant rents, a growing homeless population, and a shortage of affordable homes, San Francisco, like many cities that have followed, has been in a housing crisis, with few solutions. However, ingenuity and policy crafted a response, and the city implemented a multifaceted strategy to expand affordable housing, preserve existing units, and streamline development processes. DCH would like to explore key initiatives and projects in San Francisco to see if they could be applied in Dallas.
Accelerated Development: The 833 Bryant Street Project
The 833 Bryant Street Development is a model for cost-effective and expedited affordable housing construction. An accelerator initiative, this project achieved a 30% faster completion rate compared to similar projects, 25% reduction in construction costs, and the utilization of off-site modular construction techniques. How did they do it? Leaders streamlined approvals under a Senate Bill 35, overcoming some of the traditional barriers to affordable housing development.
Preserving Communities: Small Sites Program
San Francisco's Small Sites Program focuses on acquiring and rehabilitating existing buildings to prevent displacement and maintain affordability. This is one of the ways that DCH has also historically worked to increase inventory in Dallas. The renovation of 168 Sickles Ave is one example. In a smaller scale it provided 12 permanently affordable housing units, secured a $5.6 million bridge loan from the San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund, and ensured long-term affordability for residents.
Leveraging Technology to Improve Access to Housing: The DAHLIA Housing Portal
Access to affordable housing can also pose a threat to housing equity. Applying for housing can be complicated and many do not have the resources. San Francisco launched the DAHLIA portal, a cloud-based platform developed in collaboration with Google that centralized listings for options, streamlined applications via smartphones, and offered real-time tracking of status. When many consider the barriers to affordable or attainable housing, it really does not fully register that the administration of programs can be half of the barriers.
Inclusive Development: HOME-SF Program
The HOME-SF program incentivizes developers to include affordable units in new developments by offering benefits. These are really interesting as they relate to Dallas, because these ideas are at the center of the affordable housing debate. Some of the bonuses developers can realize are density bonuses, zoning modifications, and priority processing for eligible developments. Aligning developer incentives with affordability goals can have a significant impact. Additionally, mixed-income housing has been shown to improve communities, which is one of our core values at DCH.
Adaptive Reuse in San Francisco
San Francisco, like many cities, is exploring the conversion of unused office spaces into residential units. This is a popular approach that would repurpose vacant commercial spaces, resulting from many businesses adopting hybrid or work from home models. It increases housing supply without new land acquisition and revitalizes neighborhoods with mixed use and mixed income properties. The city has a plan to increase the supply by 82,000 over the next eight years.
Big Bay Area Affordable Housing Ideas in Dallas?
Adopting attainable and affordable housing strategies that permit accelerated construction, promote the preservation of existing units, encourage inclusive development policies, and facilitate adaptive reuse offers valuable lessons. DCH is on the forefront of important conversations and our decisions and choices in how we develop are aligned with leaders in San Francisco. Where our cities are very different, the work of advocates for fair and affordable housing is very similar. Join the conversation on our social media and start more conversations on how we can work towards ensuring housing affordability and stability for all.