05/21/2026
We continue our celebration of Affordable Housing Month with a look at a groundbreaking new community in the heart of San Francisco: The Kelsey Civic Center!
Located right across from City Hall, this innovative 112-unit development was co-developed by Mercy Housing California and The Kelsey to pioneer a “disability-forward” housing model where people with and without disabilities live, work, and thrive together.
The project goes far beyond standard accessibility, utilizing comprehensive Inclusive Design Standards. Every corner of the building is crafted for cross-disability inclusion, featuring sensory mapping, tactile elements, hands-free elevator controls, and low-chemical finishes. It also features two full-time “Inclusion Concierges” dedicated to building community, navigating local services, and ensuring every resident has the support they need to thrive.
On top of being deeply inclusive, the Kelsey Civic Center is a champion for the environment. As an entirely electric, zero-carbon building centered around a sunlit courtyard atrium, it proves that deeply affordable housing can also achieve world-class climate resilience. The ground floor even hosts the nation’s first publicly funded Disability Cultural Center, featuring beautiful public art by Creativity Explored. This community isn’t just a place to live – it’s a vibrant, inclusive blueprint for the future of housing!
