San Francisco County is poised to enhance its affordable housing initiatives following a recent government meeting where the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) announced plans to apply for $5 million in matching funds from a statewide housing trust fund program. This funding opportunity, part of a $53 million statewide notice of funding availability (NOFA) released by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, aims to support local housing trust funds established under Senate Bill 3 in 2017.

During the meeting, officials highlighted the competitive nature of the funding, which is limited to the entire state. The funds are intended to supplement city loan funds for qualifying projects, with a focus on developments that serve extremely low-income households. The MOHCD has a successful track record, having previously received $5 million under a similar NOFA in 2020, which has since been fully utilized for the construction of a housing project at 600 Seventh Street, expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Potential projects that could benefit from the new funding include the Homeless Prenatal Project on Eighteenth Street and other developments at 967 Mission and 1939 Market. The MOHCD will evaluate the full funding portfolio for each project to determine the best allocation of resources, ensuring that funds are directed where they are most needed.

The state is expected to announce the awards in August, marking a crucial step in addressing the ongoing housing crisis in San Francisco. The meeting concluded with no public comments, but the anticipation surrounding the funding application reflects the community's urgent need for affordable housing solutions.