University of San Francisco Students Explore Affordable Housing Through Mission Housing Tour
On Sept. 28, 2026, Mission Housing Development Corporation hosted University of San Francisco students from multiple academic departments for a tour designed to give students a firsthand look at affordable housing.
The visit began at La Fénix at 1950 Mission before continuing to the active construction site of The Marvel in the Mission, the multi-phase affordable housing development at 1979 Mission Street.
The tour offered students an opportunity to see affordable housing from a perspective that goes beyond physical structures. At La Fénix, students learned about an established affordable housing community and the residents it serves. At The Marvel, students saw an active construction site and learned about the development process, the partnerships involved, and the many considerations that go into creating affordable housing that is accessible, welcoming, and connected to the needs of the community.
“I feel like the tour has been super informative,” said one of the USF students who participated in the tour. “It’s really amazing to learn about an initiative that was started in the community and will benefit said community, and to hear all the different aspects of the work that has gone into building it and making it accessible for people.”
While the students came from different academic backgrounds, their questions revealed a shared curiosity about the people at the center of the work. As the tour progressed, conversations moved beyond construction and development to questions about who will live at The Marvel, what services residents will have access to, and how affordable housing can shape the surrounding community.
“The problem of affordability is huge for all of them (students) in their personal lives as well as their academic lives, and so witnessing how complex and slow a project like this might be, I think, is really important for people to see,” said USF Professor Rachel Brahinsky.
The USF student tour reflects the broader goals of the San Francisco Revival Initiative, which seeks to strengthen San Francisco through four interconnected pillars: affordable housing, youth development, community empowerment, and a renewed public narrative about the city and its communities.
Learn more about the San Francisco Revival Initiative here and discover how you can support Mission Housing’s efforts to strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and build a more equitable future for San Francisco.
