A $7 million grant from Crankstart, a San Francisco-based family foundation, will enable Freedom West Community Development Corporation to advance its comprehensive revitalization plan for the Freedom West Homes housing cooperative in San Francisco's Fillmore District. The substantial funding will support the Freedom West 2.0 master development, a strategic initiative designed to preserve affordable housing for approximately 1,000 current residents while creating a sustainable economic model for future generations. The project encompasses a comprehensive transformation of a 10-acre site, which will include 515 affordable housing units, 1,500 market-rate housing units, and 80,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.
Founded in the 1970s, Freedom West Homes Corporation has been a pioneering nonprofit housing cooperative committed to providing affordable homeownership and wealth creation opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. The new development aims to reduce reliance on government subsidies by generating sustainable revenue through strategic investments and partnerships. A key component of the project is the planned STEM workforce and entrepreneurship Innovation Center, which will be located at the ground level of the new cooperative building. This facility will provide residents and the broader Fillmore community with access to tech and science-related workforce development resources and entrepreneurial support.
Mattie Scott, FWCDC board President, emphasized the significance of the grant, stating that it represents a crucial step in preventing resident displacement and creating long-term economic opportunities. Crankstart CEO Missy Narula highlighted the foundation's commitment to supporting programs that unlock opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds. The development has already garnered recognition as a replicable model for community-driven economic development, showcased at the inaugural Parity Zone Symposium in San Francisco. FWCDC plans to document and refine the Freedom West 2.0 framework to potentially guide similar initiatives in other communities.
Supervisor Bilal Mahmood praised the project as an exemplary model of community ownership and self-determination, underscoring its potential to uplift residents and preserve affordable housing in the Fillmore/Western Addition communities. The project involves collaboration with several development partners, including MacFarlane Partners, Avanath Capital Management, and Legacy First Partners, with additional funding support from organizations such as JP Morgan Chase, Low Income Investment Fund, and the City of San Francisco. This initiative demonstrates how private philanthropy can catalyze large-scale community revitalization while maintaining affordability and creating pathways for economic mobility.
