by Min Li Chan
Nested within San Francisco's affluent Hayes Valley neighborhood, Richardson Apartments is an unconventional affordable housing initiative for the recently homeless. Riding the bus home last weekend, I caught a glimpse of the building's impressive facade a few intersections away, hopped off the bus and ventured closer to take a look.
The building has a striking design that fits right in with the boutiques, restaurants, luxury apartments, symphony and opera house nearby.
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VQNwTNb8bA/UI2Yr5QrvyI/AAAAAAAALLQ/veA4mM2JDqc/s1600/IMG_20121014_175932.jpeg)
It is also home to 120 formerly homeless individuals. It is named after Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson, founders of Marcus Books, the oldest African-American bookstore in the country.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwmjTwx6twiuyV2hkXQtl3nEBpgZtrBc2V8Y1VFFH4pEeNbMvSB9FQ2nZJVrp3Gv4hKM33akP7Hu7tTzzU0RfIoK8ruSpCbRi7gvSD4o64-_8hyZaoRLW5X6CEFCZbQRH4uVnG0LhLtY/s1600/IMG_20121014_175929.jpg)
Upon entering the building, a superintendent graciously answered my questions and pointed out a bright courtyard with a mural along the wall.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPvDOPxdB4LwCH2uUl85TC39GTGjTXMX761eFMIvahDoP8Bd53qNWHb9cH2Vx6CQO-pv3__O6qyeqjBgPqchP2rv8sAc_Bg0WHs91g04dItdm_QygZU7UFJTpAN9lHPtiIbwZcwiM_Fw/s1600/IMG_20121014_180133.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-M5DXxFX9PVcVZAdZGUy_7x82hdjMqLw0RYsN6mzOxQoEvCSUlC7q-tu4nYy3zsZo9KOpK54LBdeW9J7Ml8ICCCqnPwCR_I7iQlvZ4GeFOItW3F4dLQUxPeLT1gyi1sULLDE2AaSqc0/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjIWtFTGQHF1SzVbixtkfSUsk0S2Y1tG-QxZyZ3f-SX_YOVnjOpIVzE13BnxBHawS2NSzW3VqDo8TYP4bnRGr95pkJVLryvIp0M1HCqczvogok3pGrZTtwIDyg8EHA16nqdok4F1ydYw/s1600/IMG_20121014_180321.jpg)
Just around the corner, the building houses a cooperative bakery and cafe that provides training and employment for building residents.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBocXBSWVGjlhyphenhyphen-xH5eXOGHcLHx6gsqq2L-H_Gw7pBQzPgNk0VjKryaw_lvd34xM4FQRdLILKdu4x6UuRJsSZ2Ln9HIWK8KIQfS5vhTGqa7588rJyMbm-E_oeWownvimxK0nyGx8B5iME/s1600/IMG_20121014_180846.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLqOaBGmEf4DTwSqVKxx3NYXSa0w5M_VJq8O2fZi2hhfl1RncieY07B9QbVjEHxzMiDIijaut0KRbDLgtJGejngpys8n0ZzKy8H-D489lSX3dcnhLUn3nPtV0y0b9F0RwUpYyppIcMmY/s1600/IMG_20121014_180836.jpg)
The places where we spend much of our lives can affect our outlook, sense of dignity and self-worth. In this sense, the Richardson successfully combines bold design with an integrated approach to affordable — and livable — housing.
This is part of a collection of featured places from around the world. If you’d like to share photos of a place you find interesting, please add them to the Flickr group or send them to info@thepolisblog.org and we’ll publish your feature. Video and sound recordings are also welcome.
Credits: Photos by Min Li Chan.
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Nested within San Francisco's affluent Hayes Valley neighborhood, Richardson Apartments is an unconventional affordable housing initiative for the recently homeless. Riding the bus home last weekend, I caught a glimpse of the building's impressive facade a few intersections away, hopped off the bus and ventured closer to take a look.
The building has a striking design that fits right in with the boutiques, restaurants, luxury apartments, symphony and opera house nearby.
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VQNwTNb8bA/UI2Yr5QrvyI/AAAAAAAALLQ/veA4mM2JDqc/s1600/IMG_20121014_175932.jpeg)
It is also home to 120 formerly homeless individuals. It is named after Drs. Julian and Raye Richardson, founders of Marcus Books, the oldest African-American bookstore in the country.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwmjTwx6twiuyV2hkXQtl3nEBpgZtrBc2V8Y1VFFH4pEeNbMvSB9FQ2nZJVrp3Gv4hKM33akP7Hu7tTzzU0RfIoK8ruSpCbRi7gvSD4o64-_8hyZaoRLW5X6CEFCZbQRH4uVnG0LhLtY/s1600/IMG_20121014_175929.jpg)
Upon entering the building, a superintendent graciously answered my questions and pointed out a bright courtyard with a mural along the wall.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPvDOPxdB4LwCH2uUl85TC39GTGjTXMX761eFMIvahDoP8Bd53qNWHb9cH2Vx6CQO-pv3__O6qyeqjBgPqchP2rv8sAc_Bg0WHs91g04dItdm_QygZU7UFJTpAN9lHPtiIbwZcwiM_Fw/s1600/IMG_20121014_180133.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjIWtFTGQHF1SzVbixtkfSUsk0S2Y1tG-QxZyZ3f-SX_YOVnjOpIVzE13BnxBHawS2NSzW3VqDo8TYP4bnRGr95pkJVLryvIp0M1HCqczvogok3pGrZTtwIDyg8EHA16nqdok4F1ydYw/s1600/IMG_20121014_180321.jpg)
Just around the corner, the building houses a cooperative bakery and cafe that provides training and employment for building residents.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBocXBSWVGjlhyphenhyphen-xH5eXOGHcLHx6gsqq2L-H_Gw7pBQzPgNk0VjKryaw_lvd34xM4FQRdLILKdu4x6UuRJsSZ2Ln9HIWK8KIQfS5vhTGqa7588rJyMbm-E_oeWownvimxK0nyGx8B5iME/s1600/IMG_20121014_180846.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLqOaBGmEf4DTwSqVKxx3NYXSa0w5M_VJq8O2fZi2hhfl1RncieY07B9QbVjEHxzMiDIijaut0KRbDLgtJGejngpys8n0ZzKy8H-D489lSX3dcnhLUn3nPtV0y0b9F0RwUpYyppIcMmY/s1600/IMG_20121014_180836.jpg)
The places where we spend much of our lives can affect our outlook, sense of dignity and self-worth. In this sense, the Richardson successfully combines bold design with an integrated approach to affordable — and livable — housing.
This is part of a collection of featured places from around the world. If you’d like to share photos of a place you find interesting, please add them to the Flickr group or send them to info@thepolisblog.org and we’ll publish your feature. Video and sound recordings are also welcome.
Credits: Photos by Min Li Chan.
+ share