Over $12 million in federal funding will go toward various community projects in San Francisco through a federal grant program, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced last week.
The money comes from Community Project Funding, a federal grant system where representatives can request financial support for local projects in their districts.
In San Francisco, the funding will support city departments and organizations on more than a dozen projects related to infrastructure, housing, public safety, transportation, and workforce development.
“The new federal funding designated for community-driven projects across San Francisco is great news for our city,” Pelosi said in a statement.
Two million dollars was secured for the city’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, specifically to support capital and infrastructure improvements like permanent restrooms and showers at Jerrold Commons, a homeless shelter site for unhoused older people.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will receive $1.2 million for lighting upgrades at 10 to 15 transit stops in underserved communities.
Around $1 million will go toward purchasing 17 new patrol vehicles for the San Francisco Police Department.
University of California, San Francisco, will get about $1 million for the expansion of high-performance computing used for research in artificial intelligence.
“This investment will empower researchers with cutting-edge computational tools to overcome some of the most complex scientific challenges in health,” said UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood in a statement. “We are excited about the profound impact it will have in accelerating breakthroughs that save lives and tackle the most devastating diseases.”
Another $1 million was secured for Point Blue Conservation Science, a nonprofit that aims to promote environmental conservation through research, outreach and community partnerships. The funding will support upgrades for water, power and accessibility on the Farallon Islands.
Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Center, also known as Bayview Senior Services, will receive $900,000 for the expansion of a rehabilitation center for its Senior Ex-Offender Program. The program provides wraparound services and resources for people aged 50 and older who were formerly incarcerated.
The city’s Recreation and Park Department will receive $850,000 to fund a project to replace the existing Blue Heron Lake boat shed in Golden Gate Park and support the boat rental program there.
Self-Help for the Elderly, an organization that provides services for older people like meals and activities, will get $850,000 to replace its aging vehicles that are used to transport its clients.
“This investment ensures that older adults and individuals with disabilities can safely access health and wellness appointments, groceries, community centers, and other essential services that support aging in place,” said Anni Chung, president and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly, in a statement.
The city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development will receive $850,000 to go toward expanding a training center for CityBuild, a program that provides pre-apprenticeship training. The expansion will allow the office to serve an additional 100 residents through the program.
Another $850,000 will support renovating supportive housing for survivors of sex trafficking and their children through the San Francisco Network Ministries Housing Corporation, an organization that provides housing and services for unhoused women who have been sexually exploited.
Code Tenderloin, an organization that offers job training in STEM fields for underserved populations, will get $500,000 to support its services.
BART will receive $250,000 for emergency lighting upgrades at six train stations in the city.
“These federal funds are an investment in a safer, brighter BART,” said BART Board of Directors vice president Edward Wright in a statement. “LED lighting improves visibility on our stations and platforms, while using less energy and needing less maintenance.”
An investment of $250,000 will go toward building a new community gathering space for low-income older people in Chinatown.
Swords to Plowshares, a nonprofit that provides wraparound services to veterans, will get $250,000 for its housing programs that serves veterans with serious medical conditions.
Another $250,000 will be allocated toward supporting environmental analysis and modernization planning of the Treasure Island Job Corps site.
“The funding Speaker Emerita Pelosi has secured for San Francisco in Washington will help us build more housing, keep our neighborhoods safe, and support our community programs,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie in a statement. “Thank you to the Speaker Emerita for her tireless work to support our city and deliver for San Franciscans.”