News
Inspired by its late co-founder Kelsey Flynn O’Connor’s experience as a disabled advocate for access and community, The Kelsey is pioneering disability-forward housing solutions that open doors to homes and opportunities for everyone.
It’s hard to give value to people with disabilities if you don’t have proximity and see them as real people who have the same kinds of lived experiences that you do. So, the more separation that we have, the less we’re really getting to the problem.
The Kelsey is a San Francisco–based nonprofit that co-develops accessible, affordable, inclusive multifamily housing for people with and without disabilities. Available to those making 20% to 80% of area median income, The Kelsey housing allows disabled people and others with a wide range of needs and life experiences to live side by side in equally high-quality homes.
With 227 units under development in San Jose, Calif., and San Francisco—some of the nation’s most challenging housing markets—The Kelsey proves this model is buildable anywhere. The Kelsey is currently piloting its program with 13 existing units in Oakland, Calif.
In addition to developing housing and providing on-site Inclusion Concierge™ services, which promote connection among residents, The Kelsey advocates for policy changes that enable inclusive housing and provides tools and templates for others who want to build housing using The Kelsey’s model.
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For media inquiries, contact anna@thekelsey.org
The Kelsey in the News
CNBC - Personal Finance
Less than 5% of U.S. housing supply is accessible to older, disabled Americans
July 2023
San Francisco Examiner
Affordable housing project breaks ground steps away from City Hall
June 2023
Inside Philanthropy
How Funders Need to Change to Spark a Revolution in Accessible, Affordable, Inclusive Housing
April 2023
The Hill
There is a looming housing crisis for people with disabilities. Here’s how we can act now.
November 2022
Urban Institute
People with Disabilities Living in the US Face Urgent Barriers to Housing
October 2022
Changemakers in Autism Podcast
Cutting-Edge Inclusive Communities - Episode 2
September 2022
Forbes
This Team Is Redefining ‘Home For The Holidays’ For People With Disabilities
December 2021
SF Yimby
Demolition Permits Filed For Kelsey Civic Center In The Civic Center, San Francisco
October 2021
Center for American Progress
Disability-Forward Policy Recommendations To Advance Accessible and Affordable Housing for All
April 2021
Design Week
The identity for a disability-inclusive housing group resists “outdated perceptions”
March 2021
Curbed - San Francisco
Affordable homes for disabled residents might go up right next to SF City Hall
November 2019
San Francisco Chronicle
SF affordable housing project would create homes for developmentally disabled
November 2019
Harvard Social Innovation Change Initiative
Micaela Connery: Building Inclusive Housing in the Bay Area
August 2018
