Mayor Lurie Awards $30 Million to Expand Transitional Housing For Survivors of Gender-Based Violence

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today awarded nearly $30 million in funding for two transitional housing projects that will provide urgently needed housing and services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), the funding comes from the March 2024 Proposition A General Obligation Bond approved by voters to expand affordable housing options for San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents. This year’s funding will support San Francisco SafeHouse’s 101 Gough Street project and Friendship House Association of American Indians’ 80 Julian Avenue project to provide housing and support services for individuals and families impacted by gender-based violence. Mayor Lurie and MOHCD released a competitive request for information for this funding in June.

The new funding to expand housing for San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents builds on Mayor Lurie’s Breaking the Cycle plan, which is transforming the city’s response to homelessness and the behavioral health crisis. The mayor is significantly expanding the city’s recovery and treatment bed capacity, while taking bold steps to make San Francisco more affordable for future generations through his Family Zoning plan, ensuring that the next generation of San Franciscans can afford to raise their families in the city. As part of his work to create safe, stable housing for low-income residents and survivors of domestic violence, in his first budget, Mayor Lurie added $1 million in critical funding for vouchers for domestic violence survivors at the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) and preserved funding for gender-based violence prevention and intervention at MOHCD.

“Public safety is my number one priority, and that means protecting our most vulnerable residents. This $30 million investment will expand transitional housing and provide critical services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking,” said Mayor Lurie. “Our budget protected critical funding for domestic violence survivors and invested in addressing the homelessness crisis—and this funding builds on those investments to help provide much-needed stability and housing for those who need it most.”

Proposition A authorized $300 million in general obligation bonds to fund affordable housing for extremely low- to moderate-income households. Up to $30 million was allocated specifically for housing survivors of violence.

“Knowing that you have a safe space to lay your head is something many of us take for granted. But for the survivors of these crimes, most of which are women, that isn’t their reality,” said Ivy Lee, Director of the Mayor's Office for Victims’ Rights. “These resources are a big step towards meeting this need.”

“Expanding transitional housing for survivors of gender-based violence is lifesaving and essential to ensuring San Francisco protects and supports its most vulnerable residents,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “With more than 25 years of trusted leadership in trauma-informed care, San Francisco SafeHouse’s new site at 101 Gough Street will deliver the kind of compassionate housing survivors and their families need to heal, rebuild, and thrive.”

“I am thrilled that two well respected organizations with a long track record of serving San Franciscan’s most vulnerable, including the Mission’s Native-led Friendship House, are the recipients of voter approved Prop A funding,” said District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder. “This funding will provide sorely needed trauma-informed housing and programming for survivors and communities of color that is long overdue.”

The 101 Gough Street project will convert a four-story former residential care facility into a transitional housing center with supportive services for survivors of violence. The building will offer 23 private units with 53 beds, each equipped with individual bathrooms and cooking amenities, providing residents with privacy, autonomy, and a sense of safety—critical elements for individuals recovering from domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking.

The program will provide housing alongside a comprehensive suite of on-site supportive services tailored to the needs of survivors. These services will include case management, trauma recovery support, mental health counseling, safety planning, and connections to legal advocacy, employment resources, and healthcare.

“This critical funding will provide a safe space and housing for survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation in San Francisco,” said Toni Eby, San Francsico SafeHouse CEO. “This represents a vital step in filling a long-standing gap in specialized housing for this vulnerable population.”

The 80 Julian Avenue project, known as The Village SF, is a new construction development led by the Friendship House Association of American Indians. This six-story building will provide 72 beds across 36 transitional housing units, each designed with private bathrooms and cooking amenities. The project is rooted in a culturally specific model of care and will serve survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other forms of trauma, with a focus on Native American individuals and families, as well as other underserved communities.

Supportive services at The Village SF will include case management, behavioral health services, substance use recovery support, cultural healing practices, and workforce development programming. Friendship House will also provide referrals to external service providers and collaborate with city agencies to ensure residents are connected to the full spectrum of San Francisco’s safety net.

“Friendship House Association of American Indians is deeply honored to partner with the Mayor’s Office and the domestic violence service community to stand with and serve women and children impacted by violence at the Village SF in San Francisco,” said Friendship House CEO Martin Waukazoo. “With 4 in 5 Native women experiencing violence in their lifetime, this work is critical. Together, we will walk shoulder to shoulder with our partners to uplift, protect, and honor our women—who are the heart of our nations.”

The two projects were selected through a competitive request for information and evaluated by a panel of city staff from MOHCD, HSH, and the Mayor’s Office for Victims' Rights, two projects were recommended for funding based on their alignment with the city’s goals, community engagement strategies, and financial feasibility. Both projects are expected to begin construction in spring 2026 and open in late 2027.