Construction of Openhouse’s new LGBTQ-welcoming affordable senior housing is on schedule, such that residents will be able to move in starting April 2019! If you would like to be considered, applications will be open from December 7–14, with the lottery taking place in January and February of next year.
Openhouse will be hosting drop-in question & answer sessions on the following days:
– Saturday, December 1, 1:30 pm–5 pm
– Wednesday, December 5, 3 pm–5 pm
– Thursday, December 6, 10 am–12 pm
– Saturday, December 8, 1:30 pm–5 pm
Applications and information are available at the DAHLIA San Francisco Housing Portal: http://housing.sfgov.org
Here are some basic FAQs, with answers provided by Openhouse:
I’m interested in the housing. What should I be doing right now?
We encourage you and your friends to sign up for the interest list! Go online ( https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/join95 ) to place yourself on the interest list. You can also join by completing an Openhouse Consumer Registration form and checking YES next to the question, “Are you currently looking for housing?” Everyone on the interest list will be the first to know when and where applications are available and the deadline for turning them in.
Where can I learn more about 95 Laguna and affordable housing options?
Come to an Openhouse Housing Workshop. We offer them twice a month, and once in Spanish. RSVP is required to attend and you can RSVP over the phone. (See the number listed at the end of this article.)
How can Openhouse support me?
Openhouse is here to support your housing search by offering assistance with completing housing applications; monthly communications containing updated housing list information in the San Francisco Bay Area; Spanish translation of application forms; housing workshops (including one in Spanish), and one-to-one housing counseling.
Can only LGBT people apply?
95 Laguna must follow fair housing laws. All applicants who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can apply for 95 Laguna. The more LGBT people who apply to 95 Laguna, the more LGBT people will get in. LGBT residents will form the core and could be the majority of the residents if applications from the community are large enough. This was the case at 55 Laguna where 68% of the residents identify as LGBT!
What are the age and income requirements to live at 95 Laguna?
If I’m age 61 at the time of the application period, will I qualify for 95 Laguna?
No, you must be 62 at the time of application.
What is the maximum allowable income for the building?
1 person: $41,080–$41,450;
2 people: $46,920–$47,350;
3 people: $52,800–$53,300;
4 people: $58,640–$59,200;
5 people: $63,360–$63,950.
Are there minimum income requirements to qualify for 95 Laguna?
Mercy Housing California, our developer partner managing the building, requires that your income equal twice the rent. However, if you have an established history of paying more than half your income to rent through financial support from other sources—such as subsidies, support from family, etc.—they will consider your application.
How can I apply to the units for people who are living with HIV?
The San Francisco Human Services Agency will refer applicants to these units. There are 15 units in 95 Laguna reserved for seniors who are chronically homeless. 6 units are designated for seniors living with HIV. Residents of these units will pay 30% of their income in rent. These units are referral-based, meaning the general public cannot apply to them. Chronically homeless people and elders living with HIV should reach out to their case managers and social service providers to be added to this list (the Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry list), if not already on it.
If I have a Section 8 voucher, can I use it at 95 Laguna?
Yes, vouchers and subsidies will be accepted, including Section 8.
What if there is a criminal and/or eviction incident(s) in my history?
Mercy will consider qualified applications with an arrest or conviction record in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. In terms of eviction history, mitigating circumstances will be considered.
Can I have a pet?
There is a $100 pet deposit per pet. Two pets max are allowed. Service and emotional support animals are allowed too, of course!
If you need to ask a question not listed above, please call Openhouse’s housing hotline: 415-230-0634
Special thanks to San Francisco Bay Times columnist Dr. Marcy Adelman for her decades of work benefiting LGBT seniors and others. The new housing will be named in her honor, as well as that of her late partner. It will be called The Marcy Adelman & Jeanette Gurevitch Openhouse Community at 95 Laguna Street.
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