A century-old San Francisco building is back on track, serving low-income and formerly homeless individuals.
The building, which was one of the first to be built in the Upper Tenderloin neighborhood after the 1906 earthquake, was suffering from deferred maintenance and at risk of foreclosure. A loan was in default, and the property’s income was less than its expenses when the building was acquired by Mercy Housing California.
The nonprofit has overhauled the 154-unit building and positioned The Arlington to remain affordable for years to come.
The entire building underwent major improvements, including vital sprinkler and seismic upgrades and the addition of community space. Key renovations included adding kitchens and bathrooms to apartments that recently shared facilities.
“The changes upgrade the standard of living, give residents autonomy, and help the building operate better,” says Tim Dunn, project developer.
At the completion of construction, The Arlington housed 75 residents who had previously faced the potential loss of their homes. The remaining units have been leased to disabled and formerly homeless tenants through the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s Direct Access to Housing program, which moves people off the streets and into supportive housing. Financing for the $39.7 million development included $11.6 million in low-income housing tax credit exchange funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
