Market Street Artist Housing: 94 Apartments From an Estimated $962 a Month at Artists Hub on Market, 1687 Market Street
Quick answerSan Francisco broke ground on July 28, 2026 on Artists Hub on Market, 94 income-restricted apartments for artists and arts workers at 1687 Market Street. Applications are not open yet. The City estimates rents from $962 for a studio to $3,394 for a two-bedroom. Artists get priority only with a free Artist Housing Certification from the Arts Commission, expected to open in early 2027; the City's pages put the DAHLIA application in late 2027 and move-ins in early 2028. No voucher rule is published yet.
Last checked: October 6, 2026, against the City's Affordable Artist Housing page and Artist Housing Certification page, the City's July 28, 2026 release, Ordinance 219-25, the project's own site, ahomsf.org, the Housing Authority's 2026 payment standards and building permit 202412035997. There is no DAHLIA listing yet; when one is posted, it sets the rules.
- 94apartments, studios to two-bedrooms
- $962the City's lowest estimated rent, for a studio at 2025 levels
- Early 2027the first Artist Housing Certification application period
- Late 2027when the City expects the DAHLIA application to open
- $10,000yearly income from art, in three of five years, that qualifies an artist on its own
- 5 yearshow long a certification number lasts
What Is Being Built at 1687 Market Street
Artists Hub on Market is a tower of 94 income-restricted apartments above three floors of rehearsal rooms, a theater and arts offices, on the site of the McRoskey Mattress Company building at Market and Gough streets.
- Names: the City calls the housing Artists Hub on Market Residences. City records list it as 1687 Market. The arts nonprofit, formed in 2022, has the same name as the building: Artists Hub on Market.
- Team: Mercy Housing California is the housing developer. The project's site names Solomon Cordwell Buenz as architect of record, Mark Cavagnero Associates as design architect and Build Group as the builder.
- Arts floors: music and dance rehearsal studios, a 99-seat black box theater, offices and a cafe.
- Money: the City's release calls it a $140 million project made possible "in significant part" by a $100 million private gift. The project's site says no local public funds are required.
- Height: the building permit describes 17 stories of occupancy, two of them basements. SF YIMBY reported 15 stories and 151 feet in August 2026.
- How many apartments: the release, the City's housing page and the permit say 94. The certification page says artist priority covers 93. The City's pipeline dataset lists 101.
- 1925the McRoskey Mattress building goes up. The project's site says mattresses were made there until 2010.
- March 17, 2025the Planning Department approves the project.
- November 7, 2025the City issues the building permit. The demolition permit follows on November 18.
- November 18, 2025the Board of Supervisors passes the Artist Housing Certification ordinance.
- July 28, 2026groundbreaking.
- Early 2027first certification application period.
- Summer 2027second certification application period.
- Late 2027housing application expected on DAHLIA.
- Early 2028lease-up and opening, by the City's housing page.
What it means: an artist has about a year to get certified before the housing application opens.
Source: City release of July 28, 2026; the City's Affordable Artist Housing page; building permits 202412035997 and 202506138711; Ordinance 219-25 and the Board president's release of November 18, 2025; ahomsf.org; SF YIMBY, August 10, 2026.
Where Artists Hub on Market Is
1687 Market Street is at Market and Gough streets, in ZIP code 94103 and Supervisor District 6 in City records.
- Neighborhoodthe City's release calls it "the historic Hub neighborhood at the crossroads of Hayes Valley, Civic Center, the Mission District, and the Castro." The City's pipeline dataset files it under both Mission and South of Market.
- The namethe project's site says the Hub is where several streetcar lines merged from the 1920s to the 1950s.
- Parkingnone on site, by the City's housing page.
What it means: search by the address. VoucherMatch lists voucher apartments in the Mission District, Hayes Valley and South of Market.
Source: City release of July 28, 2026; City pipeline dataset; ahomsf.org; the City's Affordable Artist Housing page.
| Stop or station | Lines | Straight-line distance |
|---|---|---|
| Market St and Gough St | F Market and Wharves streetcar | 0.01 miles |
| Haight St and Gough St | 7 Haight-Noriega | 0.03 miles |
| Otis St and McCoppin St | 14 Mission, 49 Van Ness-Mission | 0.12 miles |
| Van Ness Station | Muni Metro J, K, L, M, N | 0.22 miles |
| 11th St and Market St | 9 San Bruno, 9R San Bruno Rapid | 0.26 miles |
| Mission St and 11th St | 14R Mission Rapid | 0.27 miles |
| Hayes St and Gough St | 6 Hayes-Parnassus | 0.29 miles |
| 16th St Mission | BART | 0.55 miles |
What it means: the F streetcar stops at the door, five Muni Metro lines are under a quarter mile away and BART is about half a mile.
Source: stops and lines from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's schedule data and BART's station list, read October 6, 2026; distances calculated by VoucherMatch in a straight line from the building's coordinates in the City's dataset, so the walk is longer.
Estimated Rents and Income Limits at Artists Hub on Market
The City has published estimated rents at three income levels: $962 or $1,547 for a studio, $1,018 to $2,830 for a one-bedroom and $1,218 to $3,394 for a two-bedroom.
| Apartment | Level | Estimated rent | Income up to | For a household of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 30% | $962 | $46,440 | 2 |
| Studio | 60% | $1,547 | $92,880 | 2 |
| One-bedroom | 30% | $1,018 | $52,230 | 3 |
| One-bedroom | 60% | $2,106 | $104,460 | 3 |
| One-bedroom | 80% | $2,830 | $139,280 | 3 |
| Two-bedroom | 30% | $1,218 | $62,670 | 5 |
| Two-bedroom | 60% | $2,524 | $125,340 | 5 |
| Two-bedroom | 80% | $3,394 | $167,120 | 5 |
What it means: these are estimates published two years before move-in. The real rents will be in the DAHLIA listing.
Source: the City's Affordable Artist Housing page, read October 6, 2026, which says "Income and rent levels are subject to change; figures are based on 2025 levels."
| People | 30% | 60% | 80% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $40,620 | $81,240 | $108,320 |
| 2 | $46,440 | $92,880 | $123,840 |
| 3 | $52,230 | $104,460 | $139,280 |
| 4 | $58,020 | $116,040 | $154,720 |
| 5 | $62,670 | $125,340 | $167,120 |
What it means: a single artist would have to earn no more than $40,620, $81,240 or $108,320, depending on the level, if the listing keeps this chart.
Source: the State tax-credit chart for 2025 as DAHLIA publishes it. The City's page prints one household size for each apartment type, and each of its figures matches this chart.
- A minimum income applies too. The City's page says "There is a minimum and maximum income requirement based on household size." It does not give the minimum.
- No studio at 80%. The City lists studios only at 30% and 60%.
- How many apartments at each level: not published. The pipeline dataset lists 27 studios, 49 one-bedrooms and 25 two-bedrooms, which adds up to 101, not 94.
- Income levels: the release says households "earning up to 80 percent" of median. The City's housing page lists 30%, 60% and 80%.
- Certificationfree, by the City's page.
- Arts spacesthe City's page says "Some arts spaces, like rehearsal rooms, may cost extra."
- Internetfree fiber internet is on the City's list of what the building will have.
- Application fee, deposit and utilitiesnot published.
Source: the City's Affordable Artist Housing and Artist Housing Certification pages; Ordinance 219-25.
Using a Section 8 Voucher at Artists Hub on Market
No voucher rule for this building has been published, because it has no DAHLIA listing and no selection criteria yet.
- DAHLIA's standing texton rental listings the portal says "Section 8 housing vouchers and other valid rental assistance programs can be used for this property." This building has no listing yet.
- DAHLIA, on minimum income"In the case of a valid rental subsidy, the required minimum income will be based on the portion of the rent that the tenant pays after use of the subsidy."
- A voucher is not artist priority.The priority comes only from a certification number.
- State lawthe California Civil Rights Department lists "Source of income (including the use of government rental assistance such as a Section 8 Housing Choice voucher)" as protected in housing.
What it means: read the building's selection criteria when the listing posts. Other buildings in this series set their own rule on minimum income for voucher holders, and the rules differ.
Source: DAHLIA listing text, read October 6, 2026; the City's Artist Housing Certification page.
View the data table
| Apartment | Lowest estimated rent | Highest estimated rent | Payment standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $962 | $1,547 | $2,733 |
| One-bedroom | $1,018 | $2,830 | $3,274 |
| Two-bedroom | $1,218 | $3,394 | $3,964 |
What it means: every estimate is under today's standard for its size. The narrowest gap is $444, on the 80% one-bedroom.
Source: estimated rents from the City's Affordable Artist Housing page, at 2025 levels; payment standards from the Housing Authority of the City and County of San Francisco (SFHA), effective January 1, 2026, one schedule for the whole city.
- Utilities are the open question. If tenants pay a utility, SFHA adds an allowance to the rent before comparing it with the standard. See how the utility allowance works.
- A voucher from another agency has to move first. It must be transferred to SFHA through portability. SFHA is on the California housing authority list, and Section 8 in San Francisco explains its rules.
How the Estimated Rents Compare With Typical Rents in ZIP Code 94103
The estimates run from 31% to 89% of HUD's figure for an ordinary rent in ZIP code 94103.
View the data table
| Apartment | Lowest estimated rent | Highest estimated rent | HUD fair market rent, ZIP 94103 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $962 | $1,547 | $2,740 |
| One-bedroom | $1,018 | $2,830 | $3,190 |
| Two-bedroom | $1,218 | $3,394 | $3,930 |
What it means: the 80% apartments are estimated at $360 and $536 under HUD's figure, and the 30% apartments at about a third of it.
Source: estimated rents from the City's Affordable Artist Housing page, at 2025 levels; HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents for fiscal year 2027, in effect since October 1, 2026, HUD's estimate of the 40th-percentile rent in the ZIP code with utilities included.
- Dates differ. The estimates are at 2025 levels, HUD's figures are for the year that began in October 2026 and the building opens in 2028.
- Nearby: see voucher apartments in 94103 and California rent limits by county.
Who Gets Priority at Artists Hub on Market
Certified artists are ranked ahead of the general public, and the City's usual preferences sort applicants inside each group.
- 1. Certified artists with a City housing preference.
- 2. Certified artists with no other preference.
- 3. General public applicants with a City housing preference.
- 4. General public applicants with no preference.
- City preferencesCertificate of Preference, Displaced Tenant, Neighborhood Resident, and Live or Work in San Francisco.
- Veteranspriority within each group.
What it means: certification "gives applicants higher priority" in the lottery. The same page says "It does not guarantee housing."
Source: the City's Affordable Artist Housing page, which adds: "The City will set the final lottery rules."
- Pathway 1, incomeat least $10,000 a year from your art in three of the last five years.
- Pathway 2, recognitionchosen for an art grant, award or project within the past three years.
- Pathway 3, work samplesthree examples of your work, judged on "engagement in and professional commitment to artistic practice."
- Disciplines in the ordinanceperforming, media, interdisciplinary, literary and visual arts, and folk arts and crafts. Technical and production workers and producers are named.
- Who elsethe release says the homes are for "artists, arts workers, arts administrators, production-related arts and entertainment workers, and their families."
What it means: one pathway is enough. The City's page says "This is not a contest."
Source: the City's Artist Housing Certification page; Ordinance 219-25, section 2A.150.2(c); City release of July 28, 2026.
The Building: What Is Planned
The City lists what the apartments and the arts floors are planned to have; nothing is built yet.
- In the apartmentair conditioning, stainless steel appliances and free fiber internet.
- Shared spacesa community room, a roof deck, laundry and secure bike parking.
- Arts spaces, run by Artists Hub on Marketrehearsal and practice rooms, a black box theater, arts services and a cafe.
- Parking"There will be no on-site car parking."
- Servicesthe release lists on-site resident services.
- Pets, smoking and accessible apartmentsnot published.
Source: the City's Affordable Artist Housing page; City release of July 28, 2026; ahomsf.org.
How to Apply for Artists Hub on Market
There are two separate applications: a certification from the Arts Commission in 2027, then a housing application on DAHLIA later that year.
- 1Fill out the interest form (optional, one minute)the City's interest form sends application dates and the link when it is ready.
- 2Prepare your proof (one to three hours)documents for at least one pathway, such as invoices, grant letters or work samples.
- 3Apply for certification (free, 10 to 20 minutes)an online form, in the application period expected in February 2027 or the one in July 2027.
- 4Wait for review (four to six weeks)Arts Commission staff and a panel of arts peers review it. A number is good for five years. If you are turned down, you have 10 days to appeal.
- 5Apply for the housing on DAHLIAcreate a DAHLIA account now, then use your certification number when the Artists Hub on Market Residences application opens.
- Early 2027first certification period. The housing page says February.
- Summer 2027second certification period. The housing page says July.
- Late 2027DAHLIA application, by the housing page. The certification page says "fall 2027" in one place and "late 2027" in another.
- Early 2027the lottery launch, according to the July 28, 2026 release. That is the date the City's two pages do not support.
- Late 2027 or early 2028the lottery, by the housing page.
- Early 2028lease-up and eligibility checks with applicants reached from the list.
What it means: plan on the certification dates, which all three City sources agree on, and watch DAHLIA for the housing application.
Source: the City's Affordable Artist Housing and Artist Housing Certification pages; City release of July 28, 2026; Ordinance 219-25.
- Basic information. about your art and your discipline
- For the income pathway. invoices or similar records of at least $10,000 a year from art
- For the recognition pathway. a grant, award or commission letter from the past three years
- For the work-sample pathway. three examples of your work
- Leave out. Social Security numbers, bank information and tax forms, which the City says "will not be accepted"
- For the housing application later. income and household documents, which DAHLIA asks for after the lottery
Source: the City's Artist Housing Certification page.
Watch out"Artist housing certification is not a housing application." That is the City's sentence. A certified artist who never applies on DAHLIA is not in the lottery, and an applicant on DAHLIA without a certification number is ranked with the general public.
Questions about certification go to the San Francisco Arts Commission. The project's site, ahomsf.org, takes sign-ups for its own updates.
What Is Known and What Is Not Yet Published
Most of what a renter needs will come only with the DAHLIA listing, which does not exist yet.
- Final rents and the minimum incomethe City's figures are estimates at 2025 levels.
- How many apartments at each size and level.
- The voucher rule,and which utilities tenants pay.
- The application and lottery dates.The release and the City's pages disagree on the lottery.
- Whether the neighborhood preference applies,and to how many apartments. The City says it "will set the final lottery rules."
- The exact count94, 93 or 101 apartments, depending on the record.
If You Need an Apartment Sooner
Nobody moves into 1687 Market Street before 2028, so keep other options moving.
1 bedroom, $1,200 a monthTenderloin, Outside NYCAccepts Section 8 (HCV) · VASH · EHV
1 bedroom, $3,335 a monthChinatown, Outside NYCAccepts Section 8 (HCV) · VASH · EHV
2 bedrooms, $3,500 a monthInner Richmond, Outside NYCAccepts Section 8 (HCV) · VASH · EHV
Listed by landlords who say which vouchers they accept. These are separate from the building above. See all San Francisco listings
- Voucher in hand: browse Section 8 apartments in San Francisco, including studios and one-bedrooms.
- No voucher yet: check which Section 8 waiting lists are open.
- Open lotteries: on October 6, 2026, DAHLIA's rental listings had two new buildings taking applications: 850 Turk Street until October 13 and Luca until October 22.
- Buildings where you apply directly: see low-income apartments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies as an artist for Artists Hub on Market?
Anyone the Arts Commission certifies. You qualify by one of three pathways: $10,000 a year from your art in three of the last five years, an art grant, award or project in the past three years, or three work samples.
How much will rent be at Artists Hub on Market?
The City estimates $962 or $1,547 for a studio, $1,018 to $2,830 for a one-bedroom and $1,218 to $3,394 for a two-bedroom, at 2025 levels. Final rents come with the DAHLIA listing.
When can I apply for Artists Hub on Market?
Not yet. Certification applications are expected in February and July 2027. The City's pages expect the housing application on DAHLIA in late 2027; its July 2026 release said early 2027.
Does Artists Hub on Market take Section 8?
The building has published no rule yet. DAHLIA says vouchers can be used on its rental listings, and every estimated rent is under SFHA's 2026 payment standard for its size.
Is the Artist Housing Certification free?
Yes, according to the City's page. The form takes 10 to 20 minutes, review takes four to six weeks and a certification number is good for five years.
Can someone who is not an artist apply?
Yes. The City's expected order puts general public applicants after certified artists, so they are in the lottery but ranked behind.
Is Artists Hub on Market the same as 1687 Market Street?
Yes. City records list the project as 1687 Market, the City's housing page calls it Artists Hub on Market Residences, and the site held the McRoskey Mattress Company building.
When does Artists Hub on Market open?
Early 2028, by the City's housing page. The City's release says 2028, the project's site says spring 2028, and the City's pipeline dataset still shows June 2027.
Sources for this article (14)
- Affordable Artist Housing page (sf.gov)
- Artist Housing Certification page (sf.gov)
- July 28, 2026 release (sf.gov)
- Ordinance 219-25 (sfbos.org)
- ahomsf.org (ahomsf.org)
- 2026 payment standards (sfha.org)
- building permit (data.sf.gov)
- release of November 18, 2025 (sfbos.org)
- SF YIMBY, August 10, 2026 (sfyimby.com)
- California Civil Rights Department (calcivilrights.ca.gov)
- Small Area Fair Market Rents (huduser.gov)
- interest form (digital.forms.sf.gov)
- DAHLIA (housing.sfgov.org)
- rental listings (housing.sfgov.org)
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