MARINA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Transitional age housing in the Marina
Arguments both in favor and opposed to a proposal to locate housing for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) at the corner of Scott and Lombard streets have already appeared in this newspaper and others. Those in favor argue that the Marina provides a safe environment that will allow young adults to become productive members of our community, and that the Marina should bear its fair share of homeless housing. Those opposed respond that a poorly designed facility will increase crime, lower property values, and otherwise have a significant negative effect on the community, as well as the young adults we’re trying to help. In short, they’re both right.
What is lost in these arguments is the fact that the residents of our neighborhood, and the general public, have very little information about the details of this project. In August of last year, the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) issued a notice of funding availability (NOFA). In response, the Community Housing Partnership and Larkin Street Youth Services – both very reputable organizations – submitted a proposal initially requesting $2 million to convert the King Edward II Inn to housing for at-risk youth. This was one of five proposals that were submitted. After conducting a review of the project, the staff at MOH recommended that the funding be increased to approximately $4.4 million, and approved a loan to CHP for that amount. Currently, the loan is awaiting approval from the mayor before the project can proceed.
We can all agree that at-risk young adults need special living accommodations, and that most residents of the Marina support efforts to address homelessness. But many members of our community are asking valid questions. Can 26 young adults be successfully accommodated at the King Edward II Inn, a tourist hotel? Are there other locations in the Marina that would better serve the needs of these individuals? The Bridge Motel, which has been declared a “public nuisance,” demonstrates how difficult it can be to remove a poorly run facility once it’s in place. Are there safeguards that can protect the neighborhood if this project doesn’t work? How can we be assured that sufficient financing is in place to maintain a high-quality program at this location?
These, along with many others, are legitimate questions that have not been sufficiently answered for the general public. I’ve personally attended several meetings with the MOH to learn more about this program. I read, in detail, the loan evaluation report created by the Citywide Affordable Housing Loan Committee, and I’ve discussed this project with the directors of CHP and Larkin Street Youth Services. I was present at the loan committee hearing when this proposal was discussed and ultimately recommended for funding. At the very least, I’m confident that I’m at least as well informed as any resident could reasonably expect to be. Still, I find that many MCA members are asking questions and raising concerns for which there are no easy answers.
Here are some of the more challenging questions:
• The long-term financing of this project depends on a combination of state and federal funds, which will ultimately be used to repay the loan from the City. What happens if these funds don’t materialize or are no longer available once the facility has been remodeled?
• The upper floors of the King Edward II Inn will not be ADA compliant, even after extensive remodeling of the facility. Does this further jeopardize the likelihood of receiving federal funds, for which ADA compliance is a strict criterion? Is it reasonable to create housing that is not ADA compliant?
• To overcome the zoning limitations, the Board of Supervisors will need to declare the parcel a “special use district.” Is this a legitimate use of the SUD designation or does this violate City planning codes?
To date, the Marina Community Association has not declared a formal position in favor of or opposed to this proposal. Not because we are undecided, or favor one argument over the other, but rather because there are many complex questions that have not been answered. We strongly encourage the MOH to engage the local community and to respond to public input. It’s only through a completely transparent and above-board process that this project will be successful.
The residents of the Marina are generous with both their time and money, and welcome the opportunity to reach out to the at-risk young adults of our city. An exceptionally well-run program for TAY individuals may well have a home in our neighborhood. However, a poorly conceived or underfinanced project will be a detriment to our city and have a significant negative impact on our community.
What is lost in these arguments is the fact that the residents of our neighborhood, and the general public, have very little information about the details of this project. In August of last year, the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) issued a notice of funding availability (NOFA). In response, the Community Housing Partnership and Larkin Street Youth Services – both very reputable organizations – submitted a proposal initially requesting $2 million to convert the King Edward II Inn to housing for at-risk youth. This was one of five proposals that were submitted. After conducting a review of the project, the staff at MOH recommended that the funding be increased to approximately $4.4 million, and approved a loan to CHP for that amount. Currently, the loan is awaiting approval from the mayor before the project can proceed.
We can all agree that at-risk young adults need special living accommodations, and that most residents of the Marina support efforts to address homelessness. But many members of our community are asking valid questions. Can 26 young adults be successfully accommodated at the King Edward II Inn, a tourist hotel? Are there other locations in the Marina that would better serve the needs of these individuals? The Bridge Motel, which has been declared a “public nuisance,” demonstrates how difficult it can be to remove a poorly run facility once it’s in place. Are there safeguards that can protect the neighborhood if this project doesn’t work? How can we be assured that sufficient financing is in place to maintain a high-quality program at this location?
These, along with many others, are legitimate questions that have not been sufficiently answered for the general public. I’ve personally attended several meetings with the MOH to learn more about this program. I read, in detail, the loan evaluation report created by the Citywide Affordable Housing Loan Committee, and I’ve discussed this project with the directors of CHP and Larkin Street Youth Services. I was present at the loan committee hearing when this proposal was discussed and ultimately recommended for funding. At the very least, I’m confident that I’m at least as well informed as any resident could reasonably expect to be. Still, I find that many MCA members are asking questions and raising concerns for which there are no easy answers.
Here are some of the more challenging questions:
• The long-term financing of this project depends on a combination of state and federal funds, which will ultimately be used to repay the loan from the City. What happens if these funds don’t materialize or are no longer available once the facility has been remodeled?
• The upper floors of the King Edward II Inn will not be ADA compliant, even after extensive remodeling of the facility. Does this further jeopardize the likelihood of receiving federal funds, for which ADA compliance is a strict criterion? Is it reasonable to create housing that is not ADA compliant?
• To overcome the zoning limitations, the Board of Supervisors will need to declare the parcel a “special use district.” Is this a legitimate use of the SUD designation or does this violate City planning codes?
To date, the Marina Community Association has not declared a formal position in favor of or opposed to this proposal. Not because we are undecided, or favor one argument over the other, but rather because there are many complex questions that have not been answered. We strongly encourage the MOH to engage the local community and to respond to public input. It’s only through a completely transparent and above-board process that this project will be successful.
The residents of the Marina are generous with both their time and money, and welcome the opportunity to reach out to the at-risk young adults of our city. An exceptionally well-run program for TAY individuals may well have a home in our neighborhood. However, a poorly conceived or underfinanced project will be a detriment to our city and have a significant negative impact on our community.
John Millar is the president of the Marina Community Association. MCA is dedicated to protecting and improving the distinctive residential quality of San Francisco’s Marina District. E-mail: [email protected]
