Alice Griffith Apartments was once hailed as a model for invigorating low-income housing before concerns about rodent infestations and disrepair mounted.
The Alice Griffith housing project are seen on Aug. 31, 2011, in San Francisco, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The owners of a San Francisco affordable housing complex will pay $9 million in a settlement with the city, following mounting evidence of disrepair, rodent infestations and deteriorating conditions.
The agreement with McCormack Baron Salazar, a St. Louis-based developer that owns Alice Griffith Apartments, includes fixes to reported violations, city penalties and additional improvements beyond the scope of the building’s citations, a first-ever concession according to the city attorney’s office.
“No San Franciscan should have to live in substandard housing, and there must be consequences when residents are deprived of a safe and healthy place to live,” said City Attorney David Chiu. “We know it’s not possible to solve every challenge overnight, but this agreement directs real dollars into Alice Griffith and holds the property owners accountable for the terrible conditions at the property.”
City Attorney David Chiu speaks during a press conference at the parking lot on Third and Harrison streets in San Francisco on May 11, 2026. (Juliana Yamada for KQED)
Located in the Bayview neighborhood, Alice Griffith Apartments was previously run by the city’s housing authority and was part of a wave of public housing buildings that were transferred to private owners in the early 2000s. The 337-unit building received major upgrades and was hailed as a model for leveraging public-private partnerships to improve low-income housing.
The project was supported by a $30.5 million federal grant, along with other public and private financing. The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure provided $68.3 million in loans to back construction and long-term affordability for the project.
But within only a few years under its new private owners, the building fell into disrepair. Mission Local chronicled conditions at the building, including rat infestations, debris pile-ups and other public health concerns for its residents.
Multiple city departments issued notices of violation related to health, housing, plumbing, building, electrical and fire code issues at the building, where the John Stewart Company is the property manager.
The San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development is also contributing $2 million for upgrades to the property’s outdoor play areas.
“Every San Franciscan should have housing that is not only affordable but also safe and well-maintained, and the residents at Alice Griffith have not,” Mayor Daniel Lurie said in a statement. “Over the past year, our administration has worked with the City Attorney’s Office to hold the owners and property managers accountable for the conditions residents have endured.”