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

A transformative $7 million grant from the Crankstart Foundation will enable the Freedom West Community Development Corporation (FWCDC) to advance its groundbreaking community revitalization project, promising to preserve affordable housing and create economic opportunities for residents in San Francisco's Fillmore District.

The funding will support the Freedom West 2.0 master development, a comprehensive plan to transform a 10-acre site into a dynamic, self-sustaining community. The project aims to prevent displacement of approximately 1,000 current residents while developing 515 affordable housing units, 1,500 market-rate units, and 80,000 square feet of commercial and retail space.

Founded in the 1970s, Freedom West Homes Corporation has long been dedicated to providing affordable homeownership and wealth creation opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. The new development represents a strategic approach to economic independence, reducing reliance on government subsidies through innovative investment strategies.

A key component of the plan is the proposed STEM workforce and entrepreneurship Innovation Center, which will be located in the new cooperative building. This facility is designed to provide residents and the broader Fillmore community with critical resources for technological and entrepreneurial development, including access to capital and workforce training.

The project has garnered support from local leaders, including Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, who praised the initiative as an exemplary model of community ownership and self-determination. Missy Narula, CEO of Crankstart, emphasized the foundation's commitment to unlocking opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds.

Beyond its immediate community impact, Freedom West 2.0 has been recognized as a potentially replicable model for community-driven development. FWCDC plans to document and refine the framework to assist other communities seeking sustainable economic independence.

The development represents a comprehensive approach to community revitalization, combining affordable housing, economic empowerment, and strategic urban planning. By creating a holistic ecosystem of support, the project aims to break cycles of economic uncertainty and provide tangible pathways to prosperity for its residents.