In 1963, a group of San Francisco community leaders saw the need for immediate action to help meet the city's need for affordable housing. In response to the city's pressing housing needs, "The San Francisco Development Fund" was formed. Our founders shared a vision for building bridges between the private and public sectors to find innovative ways to increase the flow of private capital to disadvantaged communities. For the first 26 years, the focus was exclusively on affordable housing. Since then, we have broadened our scope to include small business and job creation, community development activities, environmental cleanup and building institutional secondary market capacity.
1997 - present: See PROGRAMS
1992 - 1997: Debt/Equity Leverage Technical Assistance Program (DELTA)
Worked with city redevelopment agencies to create operational partnerships between private lending institutions and local agencies for affordable housing programs.
1992 - 1993: Housing Development Corporations
Worked with local governments to establish nonprofit housing development corporations.
1990 - 1991: Access to Capital (ATC)
Worked with the California Redevelopment Association to increase and improve the expenditure of over $200 million of affordable housing "set aside" funds by California's redevelopment agencies.
1985 - 1988: Double Unit Opportunity Program (DUO)
Tested the effectiveness of creating second units in existing housing for affordable rental units.
1982: Storm Damage Assistance Program
A technical and financial assistance program for local flood and storm victims.
1980 - 1986: Reverse Annuity Mortgage (RAM)
Pioneer of program to create model enabling low and moderate income seniors to remain in their homes.
1975 - 1986: The Housing Conservation Institute (HCI)
A comprehensive revitalization program for the Ingleside District of San Francisco.
1974 - 1975: "A California Report"
A non-partisan, precedent setting report to the State Governor and Legislature resulting in the creation of the California Housing Finance Agency (CHFA).
1971 - 1974: Buyer's Agent Program
Performed homeownership counseling and certified over 400 low income families for HUD section 235 mortgage insurance program.
1964 - 1969: Pilot Program for Low Income Home Ownership
Assisted 40 families in buying their own homes for less than the cost of maintaining them in public housing.