Last week, SV@Home took the Community Roots Collaborative cohort to San Francisco Community Land Trust properties. The tour consisted of three properties: “Pigeon Palace”, 14th St., and Columbus Avenue. Each stop included a brief but insightful history on how the properties were acquired by SFCLT and inspiring stories of community effort and advocacy. 

This June, the Community Roots Collaborative (CRC) visited the San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT) to learn firsthand how Community Land Trusts create lasting affordability. SFCLT focuses on acquiring and rehabilitating properties throughout San Francisco to ensure permanently affordable housing for low- to moderate-income residents. Acquisitions Director Kristen Villalobos and Project Manager Victoria Beckley led our tour, sharing insights into the land trust’s mission, history, and funding.

Stop 1: Pigeon Palace – A Victory for Long Time Tenants

At our first stop, SFCLT board member and longtime resident Chris Carlsson shared the inspiring story of Pigeon Palace. The building’s original owner, Frances Carati, kept rents low for decades. In 2015, SFCLT purchased the building at auction for $3.28 million—thanks to the tenants raising the 10% down payment—preserving it as permanently affordable housing. While refinancing remains a challenge, the victory marked a milestone for tenant ownership.

Stop 2: 320 14th Street – Rent Strike and Tenant Power

Next, we visited 320 14th Street, a 16-unit building acquired by SFCLT in 2024. Resident Luis Zeron recounted organizing a rent strike in 2022 in response to neglect from the previous landlord. Through translation support from Ana Ruedas de Vidales, Luis described the risks and resilience involved in tenant organizing. The building’s transition to community ownership reflects the power of collective action.

Stop 3: 53 Columbus – Fighting Demolition, Building a Co-op

Our final property stop was 53 Columbus Avenue in Chinatown, SFCLT’s first acquisition. In 2005, tenants resisted demolition plans by the local community college district with support from the Asian Law Caucus and Asian American Community Development Center. SFCLT helped them form a cooperative, allowing long-term residents to remain in their homes and maintain community control.

We closed the day with a pizza picnic at William Street Park, sharing food, reflections, and sunshine with SV@Home staff, CRC members, and a few friendly neighborhood dogs—ending the tour with joy and renewed commitment to community-led housing solutions.