Nonprofit Faced 156% Rent Hike in San Francisco
The South of Market organization must relocate after receiving a lease renewal notice with a monthly cost of $20,000.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Remote Work
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As of September 2026, the nonprofit Dev/Mission was notified that its South of Market office space would see a 156% rent increase. The organization, which provides free IT training and computers to the local community, now hopes to secure a new location by November 2026.
Why it matters
The sharp rise in rental costs is driven by high demand for office space from the growing artificial intelligence industry in San Francisco. This trend is forcing established community-focused organizations to navigate an increasingly expensive commercial real estate market.
The proposed lease mandates a monthly rent of $20,000, representing a 156% increase over the previous rate. Dev/Mission has graduated 500 students in 10 years and distributed over 5,000 computers since 2017.
The players
Dev/Mission
This nonprofit organization provides free IT and coding training to young students and distributes technology to low-income families.
The details
Dev/Mission has operated out of the South of Market neighborhood to provide free IT and coding training to students aged 16 to 24. The organization is currently seeking a new facility after the landlord proposed a significant hike in operational costs.
Timeline
The organization began its computer distribution program in 2017.
The landlord notified the nonprofit of the rent increase in September 2026.
The nonprofit hopes to secure a new office location by November 2026.
Market Landscape
This rent hike reflects the broader trend of AI companies driving high demand for San Francisco office space. The influx of capital into the AI sector is rapidly reshaping the city's commercial real estate market for traditional tenants.
The relocation may impact local students seeking access to free IT training and technical resources in the South of Market area. Residents should monitor for updates regarding the organization's new address and service availability in the coming months.
The takeaway
Community organizations are increasingly vulnerable to the aggressive commercial demand fueled by the local technology sector. Organizations facing similar pressures may need to explore long-term lease agreements or alternative neighborhood hubs to maintain operational stability.
Further reading
For more on the changing office environment, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC7 San Francisco.
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