The City of San Francisco held a meeting on July 4, 2025, to discuss funding agreements aimed at improving the safety and accessibility of older elevators in supportive housing (PSH) buildings. The primary focus was on grants designed to address major repairs and modernization of antiquated elevators, which are crucial for the health and safety of residents.

The funding for these projects comes from a certificate of preference bond issued by the Office of Public Finance. A total of five agreements were highlighted, including four with Episcopal Community Services for various hotels: the Crosby Hotel ($1,104,189), the Mentone Hotel ($973,943), the Elm Hotel ($980,839), and the Hillsdale Hotel ($1,017,789). Additionally, a grant agreement was made with Community Forward SF for the Coronado Hotel, amounting to $1,134,924.

The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) prioritized these funding projects based on specific criteria. These included the building owner's commitment to contribute to the overall project costs, primarily through rent reductions over a period following the completion of the modernization work. Priority was given to single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings that are city-funded, non-profit master-leased, and owned by private for-profit entities. The goal is to enhance the health, safety, and accessibility of residents living in these facilities.

To qualify for funding, buildings needed to have a minimum of five years remaining on their master lease term or an agreement to extend the lease by at least five years post-project completion. The private owners were also required to contribute to the costs either through upfront cash or rent abatement over the five-year lease term.

Out of 38 eligible PSH buildings, 13 bids were received, all of which were approved for funding. The selection process was conducted through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) issued in the spring of 2024, with a panel of four experts evaluating the proposals. The panel included representatives from the mayor's office of housing, HSH, the planning department, and the mayor's office on disability, ensuring a comprehensive review based on expertise in supportive housing and accessibility issues.

This meeting underscored the city's commitment to improving living conditions for vulnerable populations and enhancing the infrastructure of supportive housing facilities.