U.S. General Services Administration
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On March 11, 2020, GSA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), transferred the Mission Street parking lot, located behind the James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse, to the City of San Francisco for homeless assistance purposes. The approximately $47 million property was transferred at no cost to the City.
The parking lot was acquired in 1996, when GSA was considering expanding the courthouse. By January of 2017, it was determined that the courthouse would not be expanded, and the property was deemed surplus. HHS determined that the property was a good candidate for transfer under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MVHAA), which helps state and local governments provide resources for homeless individuals.
In August 2017, HHS approved the City and County of San Francisco’s application for homeless assistance purposes. HHS executed a three-year lease with the City in November 2018; the lease would convert to a deed once the City secured financing and finalized design/construction plans with their development partners Ecumenical Community Services and Mercy Housing. While the City worked out these details, Region 9 Real Property Utilization and Disposal Division’s Anita Lee and Marilyn Paik from the Office of Regional Counsel went above and beyond to work out an interim agreement to lease out the space to a private parking vendor, generating market-based rental income for the Federal Buildings Fund.
“With this conveyance we’ve been able to shrink our federal footprint, dispose of surplus property, and support the City of San Francisco in one of its key focus areas, providing homeless assistance in the city,” said Regional Administrator Tom Scott.
In January 2022, two new six-story buildings will occupy the site. These much needed facilities will feature 256 housing units for formerly homeless adults, including approximately 100 units designated for seniors (62+). This housing site will help homeless and low-income people obtain housing support and health services in a convenient mid-Market location.