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"The affordable housing test: Would you let your mom live there?" --John Stewart, Chairman of The John Stewart Company and member of The Arc's Strategic Housing Committee
On Top of Affordable Housing: John Stewart
John Stewart, Chairman of The John Stewart Company and member of The Arc’s Strategic Housing Committee
John Stewart is Chairman of The John Stewart Company which develops and operates affordable housing throughout California. John spoke with us recently about the positive impact of affordable housing and making sure people with developmental disabilities get their fair share.
Q. How did you become involved with The Arc of San Francisco and people with developmental disabilities?
A. My company manages The Arc’s apartments on Bay Street, the first and to date the only affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities in San Francisco. JSCo is the largest private manager of supportive and “special needs” housing in California, combining affordable housing with supportive services. Right now we manage 8 such properties that serve a range of target populations, and it’s been my experience that with the right support, you can bring new life to neighborhoods and new hope to individuals in search of a real home.
Q. How does providing affordable housing have a positive impact?
A. The apartments in North Beach Place are a good example. Over the course of 5 years, those fortress-like public housing structures at North Point and Columbus Ave. were taken down and replaced with units that reflect good urban design and integrate well with the surrounding neighborhood. It’s a mixed income, mixed age and mixed use environment. The combination of residential and retail use has really stabilized the area—crime is down, retail traffic is up because of Trader Joe’s and other stores. It’s been a positive change for residents and neighbors. And it meets the mom test: “Would you let your mom live there?”
Q. What are the barriers to creating more housing for people with disabilities?
A. First of all, you have to be on the radar of the right people. For example, The Mayor’s Office on Housing recognizes the affordable housing needs of seniors, people who are homeless and people with HIV/AIDS, but does not recognize people with developmental disabilities. That has to change. We have to make sure that people with developmental disabilities have a place at the table.
Also, there seems to be a built-in fear of this constituency—we fear what we don’t understand—so we have to educate people about this population; the benefits to property managers who are seeking stable renters like clients of The Arc.
Q. What role can your experience play as a member of The Arc’s Strategic Housing Committee?
A. My company is familiar with the challenges and requirements of the many local, federal and state housing program and occcupancy guidelines, such as HUD, CHFA, HCD and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, and we can provide expertise toward complying with Regulatory Agreements and Fair Housing requirements.
Providing more safe, decent housing for people with developmental disabilities isn’t an overnight proposition—it can be 5 years or more from the planning stage to breaking ground, but it certainly is doable.