Mayor’s office outlines $600 million bond plan to boost affordable housing, with accessibility priorities

Amy Chan of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development outlined a proposed $600 million general obligation bond the mayor plans to place on the November ballot, describing how proceeds would be distributed across categories and how the funds would be used if voters approve the measure.

Chan described the proposed breakdown: $150 million for public housing revitalization (including life‑safety repairs and work at Hope SF sites), $220 million for low‑income housing for households earning up to 80% of area median income, $60 million split between preservation and middle‑income housing (translating later in the presentation to $30 million for preservation and $30 million for middle‑income programs), $150 million dedicated to senior housing (0–80% AMI), and $20 million for educator housing serving teachers and paraeducators (30–140% AMI). Chan said the bond would fund acquisition, new construction, rehabilitation and preservation with an emphasis on projects that are 'shovel ready' and can leverage additional funding.

On accessibility, Chan said projects funded by the office include accessibility features as part of required project standards: an example offered was that many new projects aim for a high share of adaptable units and a higher percentage of mobility‑accessible units than the federal minimum. Chan also described policy tools the office employs to serve extremely low income households: rental and operating subsidies, tax‑credit financing and new techniques such as income averaging to mix unit affordability levels within projects.

Council members asked technical questions about AMI and household affordability. Chan estimated a one‑person AMI figure near $82,900 and explained that 'affordable' rent is generally calculated as 30% of household income; she also described the Dahlia housing portal and a lottery process used to allocate units, and noted city preferences that prioritize displaced tenants, certificate‑of‑preference holders and neighborhood residents where applicable.

Chan said if the bond passes the city anticipates an initial issuance of roughly $200 million in the spring following the election and would then release notices of funding availability for projects to apply. The Board of Supervisors was still moving the bond through its legislative process at the time of the briefing; Chan said two votes remained before the measure would be certified for the ballot.

Council members asked for clearer public materials showing how bond categories translate into accessibility and unit types; MOD staff suggested adding a column to the public chart that explains which categories prioritize physical accessibility for people with disabilities. Chan welcomed that suggestion and said staff would follow up as bond language is finalized.