Materials Handbook

Created in collaboration with AND staff and SF Mayor's Office of Housing staff, the content of this handbook compiles the information and input of hundreds of Bay Area affordable housing practitioners. Non-profit developers, architects, city officails, property management staff and builders whose knowledge and experience has been essential to the creation and management of thousands of quality affordable housing units in the Bay Area have been consulted to make this available.

The purpose of the Handbook is to share knowledge about building materials and design strategies that have been used sucessfully to create healthy, high quality, sustainable affordable housing for low-income people in San Francisco.

Available for downloads as PDF files

Section 1-Key Concepts and Challenges

Table of Contents

Introduction

Key Concepts in Affordable Housing

Challenges in Affordable Housing

 Section 2- Design

Exterior Spaces

Common Areas

Service Areas

Individual Units 

Section 3- Materials

Finishes

Electrical

Wood

Exterior Envelope

Site