1633 Valencia

Following the success of Tahanan Supportive Housing—which streamlined provision of permanent supportive housing through innovative financing and construction—the team reunited for the design of 1633 Valencia, a stable, supportive community intended for San Francisco seniors.

The project team—Mercy Housing; the San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund (SFHAF); David Baker Architects; and Cahill Contractors—aims to refine our process for an increasingly efficient and effective building, drawing on lessons learned through the development, construction, and post-occupancy evaluation of Tahanan.

Privately funded by SFHAF’s Bay Area Housing Innovation Fund, the all-electric building utilized SB35 to qualify for additional units and a streamlined approval process. 

Using a 100% Design-Build approach, this project represents a close collaboration between DBA and Cahill Contractors throughout all design and construction phases. With an accelerated construction schedule of just 19 months, half of the major subcontractors were brought on after the Schematic Design phase to determine major systems early and establish project costs to meet and maintain a target budget. 

Replacing a surface parking lot near the corner of Valencia and Cesar Chavez, the building’s design is distinguished by a thin brick facade accented with glazed tile along Valencia Street, creating a dynamic presence in the neighborhood. The welcoming entry will feature a broad glass storefront, custom ceiling by DBA_Workshop, and sculptural ceramic pieces by DeBakker Clay. The courtyard will serve as a central hub, connecting the community room, lobby, resident services, and wellness clinic. 

1633 Valencia is home to people 55 and older who meet the San Francisco Department of Homeless and Supportive Housing (HSH) definition of homelessness and are referred through either HSH’s Housing Ladder Program or the Mission Action Access Point. (The Housing Ladder Program is for people who live in city-funded permanent supportive housing (PSH) and no longer need intensive services, allowing them to transition into more independent affordable housing settings. Mission Action Access Point helps adults find homelessness services, housing assistance, and resources.)