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Worth Avenue supportive housing delayed as voucher availability hinges on federal budget
Summary
Commissioners were briefed on the 1954 Worth Avenue project; staff said environmental review is underway but unit funding may depend on public housing vouchers that remain uncertain pending federal budget actions.
At the May meeting, Office of Homeless Solutions Director Christine Crosley briefed the commission on the 1954 Worth Avenue supportive‑housing project and said the project’s next steps depend on whether voucher subsidies will be available from the local public housing authority.
Crosley told commissioners that environmental review for the property is underway and that the development partner intends to transfer property operations to St. Jude (Catholic Housing Initiatives) once voucher arrangements are confirmed. Crosley said staff were “working through that as a system with all of our collaborators to see what we can do and to make sure that this project moves forward.”
Timeline and funding uncertainty: Crosley said the team is “hoping we'll know before HHS at the end of the month,” referring to federal budget and funding determinations that could affect voucher availability. She said the city is coordinating with the local public housing authority, which is being “extremely lovely and flexible,” but that the authority also faces potential shortfalls. Crosley explained the city is exploring alternatives in case vouchers are not available, and that any alternative must honor the conditions the community approved in the SUP (site‑use permit).
Project details discussed: Commissioner Diana Einstein said a comparable St. Jude property in her district serves people 55 and older and has about 104 units. Crosley said the Worth Avenue project is expected to be about 75 units, targeted to single adults rather than families, and that there may be a preference (not a hard restriction) for older adults and veterans; final occupancy rules would flow through the coordinated access system.
Questions and next steps: Commissioners asked whether vouchers would be tenant‑based or unit‑based; Crosley said the primary question at present is whether vouchers will be available at all and that staff are developing cash‑flow and contingency plans. She said staff and council are aware and that the city will continue coordination with the housing authority and development partners.
No final decisions were made at the meeting; staff said they would report back when voucher availability and final financing structures are confirmed.
