Homes for Everyone

Ending homelessness in the SF Bay Area is our goal. Here's are the estimated costs:

🏘️ Estimated Costs to House All Homeless Individuals

  • San Francisco Bay Area-Wide Estimate: Providing a new or rehabilitated unit of permanent housing for every homeless resident in the Bay Area, using traditional construction methods, is estimated to cost nearly $17 billion. This figure reflects the high costs of land and construction in the region. Bay Area Economy

🧾 Breakdown of Costs

  • Construction Costs: The average cost to build a single unit of subsidized affordable housing in San Francisco is approximately $730,000, contributing significantly to the overall expense. Bay Area Economy

  • Supportive Services: Beyond construction, ongoing costs include mental health services, addiction treatment, and case management to ensure long-term stability for formerly homeless individuals.

🏠 Alternative Housing Models

  • Tiny Homes: Some Bay Area cities have explored tiny home villages as a more cost-effective interim solution. For instance, in Oakland, the cost per bed per year in tiny home communities ranges from $22,500 (with shared facilities) to $34,000 (with ensuite bathrooms). These communities often provide supportive services and have shown higher success rates in transitioning residents to permanent housing compared to traditional shelters.Wikipedia

A combination of traditional housing, alternative models like tiny homes, and supportive services, coupled with strategic funding and policy reforms, could collectively address the crisis.

Summary: $17 billion could give everyone a home