Preserving a Community
Building a Model for Equitable Development

Problematic Past…

Government-sponsored urban renewal efforts from decades ago, coupled with skyrocketing housing costs in recent years, have fueled considerable displacement within communities of color in high-cost/high-opportunity cities such as San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C.—a trend that has contributed significantly to the growing wealth gap in the United States.

New Approach…A More Equitable Future

Our Freedom West 2.0 redevelopment and revitalization plan is a transformative approach to urban development that could serve as a model for achieving racial equity and economic parity for low- to moderate-income residents of color in high-cost/high-opportunity cities nationwide.

Opportunity for Impact

We are seeking to raise $25 million—out of a $623 million, Phase I development budget—from impact donors and investors to help Freedom West Homes achieve long term financial sustainability, preserve and create affordable housing, and address income and wealth inequities.

Our Solution

Save 1,000 low- moderate-income residents from displacement

Preserve by rebuilding 382 affordable housing co-op units

Add 133 new affordable-housing units to the Fillmore District/Western Addition

Build a STEM Innovation Center to help Fillmore district residents access high-paying STEM jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities

Build a Performing Arts Center to spark the Fillmore Renaissance

Generate $2 billion in one-time community economic impact from the project’s construction* and insure at least 30% women and minority contractor participation

Guiding Principles

In 2019, the Freedom West Board, representing 382 shareholders and approximately 1,000 residents, participated in a visioning session facilitated by the Institute of the Future to develop a set of Guiding Principles that serve as our roadmap plan to achieve the community driven Freedom West 2.0 plan to:

Rebuild

All 382 existing units at Freedom West co-op units with brand new units at no additional monthly housing costs to the residents.

Empower

The nonprofit co-op with a 40+ year economic self-sustainable engine including additional sources of real estate ownership income and profit participation in the market rate development.

Involve

Freedom West Homes’ input in the design of the replacement units, the overall site plan, and community benefits.

In October 2020, the Freedom West Homes Cooperative Members, representing more than a thousand residents, voted to approve the Freedom West 2.0 plan.

Community Benefits

Community Amenities & Benefits

Retail & Entertainment

Health & Fitness Center

Community Gardens

STEM Community Innovation Center

Over 200K SFT of Open Space

Childcare Center

Boutique Hotel

Performing Arts Center

Better Access to Streets & Transit

Community Economic Benefits

By Designing, Building, and Empowering with Equity, this project will bring new hope and a bright future for a community overlooked for far too long. Currently, the Freedom West site is primarily residential, with very low density and too much space being used for above-ground parking. The proposed plan reimagines the use of the space by expanding its use to include commercial, retail and event space. Freedom West 2.0 will create much needed jobs and small business opportunities for residents of the Fillmore community.