Curbed SF reports that St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 420 29th Avenue is finally ready to break ground on their new church and housing units for the developmentally disabled.

St. Peter’s sanctuary has been vacant since it was damaged during the 1989 earthquake. Since then, the church has been raising funds to rebuild. Today, a ceremonial groundbreaking will take place to kick off the development in which the sanctuary will be demolished to make room for 20 housing units for the developmentally disabled.

According to a 2007 Chronicle article, St. Peter’s has been working with disabled adults since 2003, when it began renting one of its three buildings to Opportunities Unlimited, a day program that teaches life skills to English and Chinese-speaking adults with developmental disabilities.

The housing units will allow adults with developmental disabilities to live on their own, with supervision by a social worker who can link them to education, employment, medical care and social activities. Residents will be able to choose from one and two room spaces, with the option of having aides live with them.

According to the 2007 article, St. Peter’s will use $2.7 million from the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, $584,000 from the city, and at that time, they were planning to apply for a $3 million state grant.

The construction is being led by the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, whose Housing Services Affiliate has been developing affordable housing since 1982.

Sarah B.