University Mound Ladies Home

Historical Essay

by Ava Obrecht, July 2014

University Mound Ladies Home as it looked in 1932.

Photo: San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

For 130 years, the University Mound Ladies Home has operated as one of San Francisco’s few affordable assisted-living homes. The original benefactor of the home was James Lick, who left a substantial portion of his 3 million dollar fortune to be used for charitable causes. The home is registered as a 501(c)3, making it an official nonprofit organization. Originally, only women were admitted to the home, but as of late men have gained allowance to be residents in the home.

Although Lick had the resources for the creation of a low-income assisted living facility for women, the idea for the University Mound Ladies Home came from a woman named Mary Staples, whose husband assisted Lick in the writing of his will. Lick asked Mrs. Staples if she had any requests, and she appealed to him to establish a home for aging, unsupported women. Lick proposed that he would divide out $50,000 for the home, but upon Mrs. Staples’ insistence, he doubled the amount to $100,000, which would provide a sizable endowment that would be able to earn interest for many years to come.

Residents in the Ladies Home lobby, June 16, 1932.

Photo: San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

The home was founded in a three-story building that sits on 25 acres in Visitacion Valley. The building was originally made of wood, but it was redone by Martin J. Rist in 1932 with the red brick facade that is still seen today. Today the University Mound Ladies Home only owns 3 of the 25 acres. When the land was still a part of the home, the residents as well as the staff members farmed most of the land, taking care of animals as well as growing food. At the time, women were admitted to the University Mound Ladies Home only if they were of good health. They were allowed to go into the city if they wished. Today, people can be admitted regardless of their health, and part of the building is used as a hospice.

When it opened in 1884, admission to the home required a one-time payment of $300. With this retainer, the home promised to care for these women for the rest of their lives. In 1939, admission was either $50 a month, or $3,000 for a lifetime of care. Today, a space in the home costs $2,800 a month, which is a significant increase, but is still half of what most other San Francisco assisted-living homes fees are.

The University Mound Ladies Home has recently suffered through some fiscal instability. The home first came into financial trouble in 2007 when the board reported that the endowment had run out. They approached former mayor Gavin Newsom for help. The government provided financial assistance, but the extra funding only worked as a temporary solution.2 In 2008, the San Francisco Department of Public Health also financially assisted the University Mound Ladies Home.

University Mound Ladies Home, 1932

Photo: San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Today, this historical landmark, hospice, and assisted-living home to 77 elderly people is facing a controversial closure and sale. The board announced its closure on May 8, 2014 and told the families of the patients that their loved ones must be moved out by July 31, 2014.

While the board has been offered multiple proposals of short-term solutions from the government, as well as offers of purchase from other nursing homes, the board of the University Mound Ladies Home has decided to sell its building and grounds to a private elementary school, thus evicting the entire nursing home community. The board states that the proposals they have received have not been financially viable, and they will not be able to make payroll unless the facility is closed. The board is expecting to make $5.7 million from the sale, with $500,000 of the profit set aside for helping the residents find new places to live. $2.1 million is allotted to pay off their debts.

At a recent City Hall hearing, families of the patients shared their experiences with the home and how the closure of the home has affected them, reporting that most will not be able to find another nursing home in San Francisco within their price range. Many children of the home’s community shared that their parents will have to find refuge in places as far as Modesto, making it more difficult, or even impossible, for their families and friends to visit them. Many of the residents of the home and their children have lived and worked in the city for their entire lives, and feel that they should be able to be taken care of by the city that they’ve dedicated their lives to.

Of the 77 residents to be displaced, as of July 2014, 27 still remain in hopes that the home will be saved. Families of the home’s members expressed great concern over the negative mental and physical health effects that moving often have on the elderly.

City Supervisor David Campos stated that the University Mound Ladies Home closure is symbolic of the greater eviction crisis that San Francisco is facing. He concluded the hearing by stating that he will stand with the people of the University Mound Ladies Home until “hell freezes over.” The city government is currently investigating the legality of the sale, as well as working on re-zoning laws that could make the land useable only for a nursing home.

Sources:

University Mound Ladies Home, “Our History.” Accessed on July 15 2014.

“S.F. Senior Care Home to be Sold to Private School.” J.K. Dineen. SF Gate. Accessed on July 15 2014.

San Francisco City Hall hearing, July 10, 2014.