Crankstart Foundation Awards $7 Million to Empower San Francisco Community Housing Cooperative

A $7 million grant from Crankstart Foundation will help transform Freedom West Homes Corporation, a nonprofit housing cooperative in San Francisco's Fillmore District, enabling a comprehensive redevelopment strategy designed to ensure long-term economic sustainability and prevent resident displacement.

The funding will support Freedom West 2.0, a master development plan that transforms a 10-acre site into a multi-use community featuring 515 affordable and 1,500 market-rate housing units, commercial spaces, and an Innovation Center. This strategic approach aims to create a self-sustaining economic ecosystem that provides housing security and opportunities for approximately 1,000 current residents.

Freedom West Community Development Corporation plans to reduce reliance on government subsidies by generating sustainable revenue through strategic real estate investments and partnerships. The development will include an innovative STEM workforce and entrepreneurship center designed to provide residents with technology and science-related professional development resources.

Mattie Scott, Freedom West Community Development Corporation board President, emphasized the project's significance, noting it represents more than housing preservation—it's about creating a thriving neighborhood that can serve as a catalyst for broader community revitalization.

Crankstart CEO Missy Narula highlighted the foundation's commitment to unlocking opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds, positioning this grant as part of a broader effort to promote economic mobility and stability in San Francisco.

The project has already garnered recognition as a potential replicable model for community-driven development, with plans to document and refine the framework to support similar initiatives in other communities.