Commission authorizes documents to advance 59 very-low-income units at Hunters Point Shipyard's Block 49

The Commission on Community Investment and Infrastructure on a 4–0 vote authorized the executive director to enter into a conveyance, a vertical lease/disposition-development agreement and an option to ground lease needed to develop 59 very-low-income rental units and one manager's unit at Block 49 in Phase 1 of the Hunters Point Shipyard.

Assistant Project Manager Anuela Quasar, presenting the item, said the documents would allow the agency to treat Block 49 as a stand-alone affordable housing project while noting that the agency would not be putting any of its own money into the project: “It is Lennar who is responsible to cover any funding gaps that are needed to carry out the project.” Quasar said the units will be targeted to households at up to 50 percent of area median income (AMI), and she gave the 2014 AMI examples used in the presentation: roughly $35,000 a year for a single individual and about $48,550 for a family of four.

The presentation described the unit mix and rents: 27 one-bedroom units, 21 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units, totaling 59 units, with rents presented in the packet ranging roughly from $9.24 (one-bedroom) to $11.31 (three-bedroom) per what was shown to commissioners. Quasar said Lennar will convey the Block 49 site to the agency and will pay $1,000,000 to be used on either the Alice Griffith project or another Phase 1 affordable housing project.

Public commenters and community stakeholders voiced support. Doris Vinson/Vincent told the commission the plan had been vetted in the community and urged approval: “I just wish for you to adopt or approve this item that’s before you. I support it.” Oscar James, who identified himself as a Bayview Hunters Point native resident, said he “support[s] this 100%” and praised the involvement of local developers. DJ Brookter of Young Community Developers also voiced support.

Commissioners asked staff several implementation questions. Commissioner Singh raised concerns about parking given the 45-space count for the building, asking, “If they have a car, where do they park?” Project staff said the parking ratio is 0.75 spaces per unit, consistent with planning code limits and that a car-share space was included to mitigate demand; staff also pointed to available street parking within Parcel A.

Commissioner Dallas pressed for clearer reporting on Small Business Enterprise participation and requested future breakdowns showing minority- and women-owned business participation. Staff said the general contractor (Cahill) and the shipyard’s construction outreach programs will work to maximize local participation and that future reports can provide the requested detail.

Commissioners also pressed staff on marketing and outreach for the initial lease-up and how Certificate of Preference (COP) holders will be reached. Maria Benjamin of the Mayor’s Office of Housing said the office will advertise opportunities on its website and by e‑mail to its list and will work with developers to make applications digitally accessible; she added staff will monitor the lottery process to ensure certificate‑holder priorities are respected. Staff told commissioners that the ground lease — which will return to the commission for approval — will contain more detailed marketing and lottery provisions.

The commission’s action authorized the executive director to execute the conveyance and transaction documents; staff said the ground lease will be brought back for final approval with more marketing specifics before construction financing is pursued. The motion passed on roll call with four ayes and one absence.