Student Housing as Urban Catalyst: Evolving Strategies to Unlock Investment

​San Francisco’s economic outlook is on the rise—but housing affordability and access to opportunity remain critical challenges. Academic institutions play an essential role: growing the local economy, attracting talent, expanding opportunity, and building a stronger workforce pipeline for employers, and affordable student housing is key to their success. Join us for a dynamic panel discussion exploring emerging policies, incentives, and collaborative partnerships that are making new student housing projects viable.

​Speakers:

• ​Moderator: Sandy Mendler, AIA, LEED Fellow / Education Leader and Principal, Gensler

• ​Jonathan Coates / Senior Project Manager, Kitchell

• ​Jeny Patino / Associate VP of Housing, Dining & Conference Services, San Francisco State University

• ​Danielle Robins / Senior Director, University Partnerships at Greystar

​Thank you to our program sponsor, Gensler!

​Note: this event is cross-posted to the SPUR website: https://www.spur.org/events/2026-08-04/student-housing-urban-catalyst-evolving-strategies-unlock-investment