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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.

Abby Yim, Integrated Community Services

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

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The New York Times

How to Make Your Home Accessible

July 2023

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Affordable Housing Finance

Silicon Valley Bank’s Fall Hits Affordable Housing

March 2023

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San Francisco Examiner

Affordable housing project breaks ground steps away from City Hall

June 2023

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Shelterforce

Cross-Disability Design Makes Housing Better for Everyone

June 2023

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People with and without disabilities wearing construction hard hats and vests visiting a construction site at The Kelsey Ayer Station in San Jose.

Inside Philanthropy

How Funders Need to Change to Spark a Revolution in Accessible, Affordable, Inclusive Housing

April 2023

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Affordable Housing Finance

Silicon Valley Bank’s Fall Hits Affordable Housing

March 2023

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Rethinking Real Estate for Good

Disability Forward Housing - Mar 8 Episode

March 2023

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The Hill

There is a looming housing crisis for people with disabilities. Here’s how we can act now.

November 2022

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Urban Institute

People with Disabilities Living in the US Face Urgent Barriers to Housing

October 2022

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Changemakers in Autism Podcast

Cutting-Edge Inclusive Communities - Episode 2

September 2022

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Forbes

This Team Is Redefining ‘Home For The Holidays’ For People With Disabilities

December 2021

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This is Landscape

Shapes of Power with Micaela Connery of The Kelsey

October 2021

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SF Yimby

Demolition Permits Filed For Kelsey Civic Center In The Civic Center, San Francisco

October 2021

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Center for American Progress

Disability-Forward Policy Recommendations To Advance Accessible and Affordable Housing for All

April 2021

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Whole Whale

How to 10x $ to Build Inclusive Affordable Housing - Episode 224

April 2021

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Design Week

The identity for a disability-inclusive housing group resists “outdated perceptions”

March 2021

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Curbed - San Francisco

Affordable homes for disabled residents might go up right next to SF City Hall

November 2019

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San Francisco Chronicle

SF affordable housing project would create homes for developmentally disabled

November 2019

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Google

Investing in affordable and inclusive communities

October 2019

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FOX KTVU

New housing project in San Jose to help those with disabilities

July 2019

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Harvard Social Innovation Change Initiative

Micaela Connery: Building Inclusive Housing in the Bay Area

August 2018

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Media Bios

Micaela Connery

Co-founder and CEO
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Caroline Bas

COO
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Allie Cannington

Senior Manager of Advocacy and Organizing
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Fatimah Aure

Director of Field and Capacity Building
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