A community-based health assessment among residents of affordable housing in San Francisco’s Hunters Point

We conducted a community-based participatory health assessment in San Francisco’s Hunters Point Hill neighborhood, led by a community-based affordable housing organization in partnership with academic public health researchers. Hunters Point has a rich history as a historically Black neighborhood in southeastern San Francisco, but has also experienced geographic isolation and economic disinvestment. In summer 2020 through spring 2021, we surveyed affordable housing residents (n = 125) to understand their and their households’ health, wellbeing, assets, and needs. We conducted statistical analyses of quantitative data. All participants were low-income and 43% were Black, 28% were Latine, and 13% were Asian. Only 69% reported their health was excellent or good, as compared to 88% of all San Franciscans. Approximately 21% of participants reported a respiratory health condition, and 23% reported a cardiometabolic health condition. Residents faced multiple barriers to health and wellbeing, including food insecurity, exposure to violence, economic instability, and discrimination. Only 24% of participants reported their household had enough income to meet their monthly expenses. Residents reported substantial economic and educational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents expressed strong interest in achieving financial stability and security. We recommend targeted interventions to address community needs and strengthen community assets, including increased access to healthcare and public assistance, investment in community safety and mental health support, and financial empowerment and asset-building programs.