Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center (BHNC) has served the community for close to 46 years, bringing employment opportunities, support services, and housing to those in need. Our mission has always been to preserve and enhance the ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity of Bernal Heights and surrounding neighborhoods, building an equitable community for all.
Bernal Heights Housing Corporation (BHHC), in collaboration with Mitchelville Real Estate Group (MREG) and the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), proposes a 100% affordable senior housing development located at 3333 Mission Street (3333 Mission), formerly the site of Big Lots. In addition to providing critically needed senior housing, the proposal includes revitalizing Coleridge Neighborhood Park and neighborhood-serving commercial space in the existing 16,000-square-foot building, which we envision will be programmed as a shared space for local arts and non-profits.
70 (42 studios and 28 one-bedrooms)
80% of the units =
$30,250 – $92,250
20% of the units =
$80,700 – $138,350
approximately 16,000 square feet
The proposed 3333 Mission Street development will provide affordable housing for low-income senior households (age 62 and older). As San Francisco faces a significant housing crisis and a daunting state-mandated housing element goal to build 82,000 homes by 2031, BHHC has prioritized bringing more housing to Bernal Heights. The fastest-growing homeless population in the City is seniors, which is why affordable housing specifically for older residents is so urgent. BHHC believes that all people have the right to age comfortably and with dignity.
The project places a strong emphasis on communal living; we plan to integrate a variety of areas to offer residents space for socializing and activities, thereby enriching their living experience beyond their individual apartments. The inclusion of green spaces throughout the site will promote walkability and a healthy lifestyle, especially beneficial for senior residents. Other amenity areas including a library, computer room, bike room, and lounge area are envisioned to encourage gatherings with families and neighbors.
We understand that growing pains are given in any community where development occurs. As a neighborhood-based developer, we strive to take these considerations into account when possible while remaining steadfast in our goal of creating more affordable housing for underserved populations.
Significant consideration was given to ensure the proposed design will integrate harmoniously with the neighborhood. The current proposal includes 70 units of affordable senior housing, with a four-story facade overlooking Mission Street and a four-story building on Coleridge Street. The original proposal, which included six stories on Mission and three on Coleridge, was adjusted to accommodate community feedback regarding the impact on the residences and backyards along Virginia Avenue. A large portion of the proposed development is set back approximately 80 to 90 feet from the homes on Coleridge, a measure taken to mitigate some of the concerns we have heard from adjacent neighbors. The trees on Coleridge Street, of which only two will be removed, one due to poor health and the other to accommodate passenger loading, and the public park act as a buffer between the existing homes and the new building. Importantly, vehicular access to the site will be relocated from Coleridge Street to Mission Street, significantly reducing traffic flow and contributing to a quieter neighborhood street.
View from Mission Street
View 1 from Coleridge Street
View 2 from Coleridge Street
The 3333 Mission project allows for the exciting opportunity to redevelop Coleridge Neighborhood Park, which closed in April 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and remains shuttered due to safety concerns. We look forward to revitalizing this space for all to enjoy.
The current park is 6,800 square feet. BHHC has proposed a more efficiently designed, 4,200 square foot park that will offer play space for children and passive recreation uses for residents and neighbors of all ages, complete with access to a community room that can extend the park’s functionality for the greater Mission Bernal community.
We have seeked community input on park design elements, including the playground/tot-lot, seating, security, and more. In May, a survey was made available in English, Chinese, and Spanish for neighbors to submit ideas. The survey was shared via mail to over 2,000 residents and on social media, and we received over 60 responses. Additionally, neighbors were encouraged to meet with the landscape design team to share input at the open house. More information on further opportunities to engage in the park design process will be available later.
BHHC has engaged in community outreach over the past months to ensure transparency and receive feedback from the neighborhood. Outreach has included a series of meetings with neighbors on Virginia Avenue and Coleridge Street and a community-wide open house, where we invited over 2,000 neighbors to meet the project team, ask questions, and share input.
Project materials and updates have also been shared through mailers and emails. Further engagement can be expected as the project progresses.
The development team filed an SB-35 pre-application on December 28, 2023, which expedites the approval of 100% affordable housing projects. The project received administerial approval in October 2024. In December 2024, a revised application was submitted to the city introducing design modifications.
SB-35 projects are not subject to specific community outreach requirements. However, we are committed to transparent outreach, engaging the community to ensure the project is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. We encourage community members to visit our website for news and updates, or email [email protected] to learn about upcoming community meetings and be informed as we work to bring new affordable senior housing to Mission Bernal.
Subscribe to our mail list to receive project updates by emailing [email protected].
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