Commission approves conversion of Central YMCA at 220 Golden Gate to supportive housing with health clinic

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the conditional use and associated variances for conversion and rehabilitation of the Central YMCA at 220 Golden Gate Ave. into supportive housing serving formerly homeless residents, along with an on-site Department of Public Health clinic.

Planning staff (Angela Heider) described the project as rehabilitation of a category-1 historic building to provide approximately 174 residential group-housing units, a medical and psychiatric clinic, ground-floor retail and preservation of significant interior spaces. Project sponsors from the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation emphasized voluntary support services, whole-person health care and on-site management; preservation architect Frederick Knapp described the historic interiors to be retained and the project's successful state-level preservation review with recommendations but no conditions.

Commissioners asked about unit size, the presence of full bathrooms and micro-kitchenettes, and sources of financing. Project team said they expect to generate roughly $13 million from federal historic tax-credit equity and just under $30 million from low-income housing tax credit syndication; operating subsidies and referrals will be used to support tenants. The commission voted to approve the conversion and the related open-space variance with standard conditions.