From San Francisco Homeless Resource

Founded In 1980, The Tenderloin Housing Clinic opened as an all volunteer operation in a one-room office building in Glide Memorial Church. Today, with over 189 full time employees, the Clinic is San Francisco’s leading provider of legal services to low-income tenants and operates the city’s largest permanent housing program for single homeless adults. The Clinic’s mission is to prevent tenant displacement, preserve and expand the City’s low cost housing stock and to provide comprehensive legal assistance to low income tenants. The Clinic is successful in fulfilling this mission by providing free legal services, securing SRO units through the Master Lease program and offering comprehensive support services to our clients. Note: All Information herein is copyrighted to THC 2008.

Contents 1 Logistical Information 1.1 Website 1.1.1 126 Hyde Street, 94102 1.1.1.1 Law Office 1.1.1.2 HR, Finance, IT and Administration 1.1.1.3 Property Management 1.1.2 472 Turk Street, 94102 1.1.2.1 Housing Services 1.1.2.2 Representative Payee Services 1.1.3 398 Eddy Street 1.1.3.1 Family Housing Program 2 Services 2.1 Modified Payment Program 2.2 Support Services 2.3 Shelter Plus Care 2.4 Representative-Payee Services 2.5 Legal Assistance 2.6 Central City and Mission SRO Collaboration 3 Properties 3.1 The Allstar Hotel 3.1.1 Location 3.1.2 Description 3.2 The Boyd Hotel 3.2.1 Location 3.2.2 Description 3.3 Caldrake Arms Hotel 3.3.1 Location 3.3.2 Description 3.4 The Elk Hotel 3.4.1 Location 3.4.2 Description 3.5 Galvin Apartments 3.5.1 Location 3.5.2 Description 3.6 Graystone Hotel 3.6.1 Location 3.6.2 Description 3.7 The Hartland Hotel 3.7.1 Location 3.7.2 Description 3.8 Hotel Union 3.8.1 Location 3.8.2 Description 3.9 Jefferson Hotel 3.9.1 Location 3.9.2 Description 3.10 The Leroy Looper Residence 3.10.1 Location 3.10.2 Description 3.11 The Mission Hotel 3.11.1 Location 3.11.2 Description 3.12 The Pierre Hotel 3.12.1 Location 3.12.2 Description 3.13 The Raman Hotel 3.13.1 Location 3.13.2 Description 3.14 The Royan Hotel 3.14.1 Location 3.14.2 Description 3.15 The Seneca Hotel 3.15.1 Location 3.15.2 Description 3.16 The Vincent Hotel 3.16.1 Location 3.16.2 Description

Logistical Information

Website

http://www.thclinic.org/index.php

126 Hyde Street, 94102

Law Office

415-771-9850

HR, Finance, IT and Administration

415-885-3286

Property Management

415-923-9846

472 Turk Street, 94102

San Francisco, CA 94102

Housing Services

415-771-2427

Representative Payee Services

415-346-6171

398 Eddy Street

Family Housing Program

*If you are an agency referring a client, contact Sherry Zhu, at (415) 572-7713.
*For Spanish speaking clients who are self-referring call Lourdes Gigueora at (415) 948-386
*For Cantonese or Mandarin speaking clients who are self-referring, Edit Chan at (415) 572-3346 or Sammy Yan at (415) 572-3827

Services

[edit] Modified Payment Program

Provides placement services in residential hotels for single adults. Rent is then paid on a regular basis through the MPP. There are no fees charged for the services provided by THC. In order to enter the MPP program a person must be referred by a City approved emergency shelter, the County Adult Assistance Program (CAAP) or by a community based organization approved by the Human Services Agency.

• THC leases residential hotels through the SRO Housing program. THC provides Property Management and Support Services at the leased hotels. In order to participate, clients must have an income and be referred as noted above. Income can be either SSI income, from employment, or veteran's benefits. People living in shelters or working with other homeless service providers should ask their case managers about obtaining a referral. DO NOT SEND CLIENTS AS WALK-INS WITHOUT A REFERRAL FROM ONE OF THESE SOURCES or the client will be turned away.
• The County Adult Assistance Program provides a housing subsidy to homeless CAAP recipients. CAAP clients must be referred by their CAAP Worker to the Housing Access Team.

[edit] Support Services

• The Support Services program provides case management and other services to MPP participants. Employment services, counseling and many group activities are offered on site in the hotels and at THC offices.
• Representative-Payee and Money management Services are also available to those who are participating in the MPP.

[edit] Shelter Plus Care

• As a sponsor for the Shelter Plus Care Program, THC administers 90 sponsor-based subsidized units for clients who are homeless and disabled. Clients must apply through city agencies approved by the Human Services Agency. Clients who are accepted are referred to either the William Penn or the Cadillac Hotel, where on site support services are available.

[edit] Representative-Payee Services

447 Turk Street (415)346-6171 Available to those who are willing to participate in the Modified Payment Program, as space allows. Available in the first two weeks of each month.

Legal Assistance

The clinic provides free legal counseling and representation to tenants in the North and South of Market areas, in residential hotels citywide, and to senior, disabled or mono-lingual Spanish speaking tenants citywide facing eviction for reasons other than non-payment of rent. The Clinic is the chief enforcer in San Francisco of laws preventing the loss of residential hotel rooms through conversion or demolition. This program is designed to prevent displacement and to maintain and enhance the City's low cost housing stock.

Central City and Mission SRO Collaboration

The SRO Collaborative provide assistance with code enforcement and tenant organizing within residential hotels in the Tenderloin, SOMA and Mission neighborhoods.

The collaborative operate a Tenant Representative program in order to enhance stability in the hotels and address residential community concerns. Tenant Representatives reside in MPP hotel and, with the support of a Tenant Organizer, hold regular meetings to respond to tenant concerns. Services are available on a drop-in basis at 126 Hyde st. on the first floor from 9:00am - 4:30, Monday through Friday.

Properties

Note: All Descriptions were taken directly off of www.thclinic.org

The Allstar Hotel

Location

2729 16th St.

Description

The Allstar hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in August of 2004. The Allstar Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 85 units of housing. The Allstar has two community kitchens and particularly large rooms.

At the time of THC’s takeover the Allstar was known throughout the Mission District for its garish pink and green exterior. As part of our lease agreement, the owner repainted the exterior and agreed to have a professional artist provide decorative artwork. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Boyd Hotel

Location

41 Jones

Description

The Boyd hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in February of 2006. The Boyd Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 82 units of housing. The Boyd has some of the largest SRO rooms in the City and all above the third floor have spacious views.

THC took over the Boyd after spending a number of years working to improve the hotel’s living conditions. Prior to our takeover, all new bathrooms were constructed and the building was renovated from top to bottom. The renovation added a spacious lounge to the hotel’s lobby. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

Caldrake Arms Hotel

Location

1541 California Street

Description

The Caldrake hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in October of 2001. The Caldrake Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 51 units of housing. The Caldrake is a “step up hotel”. People move into the Caldrake when they have been successful tenants in our other hotels for at least a year. The building functions as an apartment building; there are no round the clock desk clerks, instead, tenants have keys to the building.

Like the Royan Hotel, the Caldrake had never been in the city homeless program and the owners lived on the premises ensuring it was in tip-top condition. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Elk Hotel

Location

670 Eddy St.

Description

The Elk hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in August of 2006. The Elk Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 88 units of housing. Our most recent acquisition, the Elk Hotel has a beautiful marble-floored lobby and rooms with very distinctive architectural features.

Before THC’s takeover, every room was renovated and a Support Service office was created. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

Galvin Apartments

Location

Description

On October 19, 2006, the Tenderloin Housing Clinic marked the official opening of the Galvin Apartments, a 56-unit apartment building at 785 Brannan named in honor of Sister Bernie Galvin, founder of Religious Witness With Homeless People. The building is unique, since a private developer covered the entire cost of land acquisition, construction and permanent rental subsidies. The Galvin is forever affordable without any public funds, while serving tenants of very low incomes. As non-profit housing groups are being forced to give tenants steep rent increases, and the federal government is abandoning the Section 8 program, one would think that San Francisco city officials would be looking to replicate the Galvin model. But personal and political issues have prevented this.

One of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s guideposts from his candidacy to his tenure as Mayor has been a stated commitment to “Best Practices.” This notion that policies should be determined by their effectiveness, not the surrounding politics, is sound, and gives hope that city officials will finally examine the Galvin Apartments model on its merits. The Galvin has its origins in a conversation I had with former Residential Builders Association head Joe O’Donoghue back in 2001 (O’Donoghue’s involvement explains why many do not want to praise the project regardless of its success). After being told that the RBA’s Joe Cassidy had an approved 172 unit live-work project at Fourth Street in SOMA that was only 55 feet tall, I asked why Cassidy could not build a higher project in exchange for providing affordable housing (the approved project included zero affordable units). Cassidy was open to the idea, as he had been compelled by Planning to include an expensive underground parking garage for fans of the San Francisco Giants. A revised project could eliminate this garage, and allow him to save money by building the rest of the parking aboveground. In exchange for raising the height limit on the site to 85 feet, and gaining an additional 30,000 residential square footage, Cassidy would provide affordable housing in an amount equal to 17% of the total residential square footage of the new project. The project used the same 17% off-site formula required by the city’s inclusionary law, resulting in an affordable project of around 25,000 square feet. Since Cassidy’s approved project was in District Six, the next step was to run the idea by Supervisor Chris Daly. Daly liked the idea, particularly a plan whereby occupancy in the new project would be limited to former SRO tenants. Daly understood the difficulty these tenants had moving up to apartments, and saw the Galvin as a great opportunity to address this. Whereas the RBA’s involvement raised concerns among progressives, Daly’s participation angered the Supervisor’s downtown and corporate opponents. These forces campaigned against Daly in 2002 and now in 2006 on the grounds that he is “anti-business,” and “anti-middle class,” two claims rebutted by the Cassidy agreement. So even before any public hearings on the proposed Galvin Apartments, enemies of the RBA and Daly were out to either kill the project, or prevent either from claiming that it represented a model for the future. Forget what was good for low-income tenants; the battle was to stop either the RBA or Daly from looking good. At the Planning Commission hearing on Cassidy’s revised project, the only opponents who were not immediate neighbors were the Carpenters Union, land-use attorney Sue Hestor, and non-profit housing representative Calvin Welch. The Carpenters were angry because the RBA was using the Laborers Union and Operating Engineers instead of the Carpenters; they kept insisting the project was non-union even though the general contractor was Webcor, a 100% union company. Hestor claimed Cassidy was only revising the project because live-work units were not selling, and that he never intended to build on the site but was “land-banking” for a future sale. As ludicrous as such contentions were at the time, she even convinced the San Francisco Bay Guardian to include Cassidy’s site on a story about projects Planning had approved that were simply sitting vacant. But the trusting reporter did not bother learning that Cassidy’s site was vacant because he did not have permits to build the revised project. Hestor supports affordable housing, but not if built by the RBA. She later told the Planning Commission that the housing for former SRO tenants would attract “dumpster divers” who would spread trash throughout the neighborhood. Hestor insisted to the Commission “garbage is a conditional use issue.” Welch had his own axes to grind with the project. Like Hestor, he despised O’Donoghue and the RBA, though that had not stopped him from joining with the group in campaigning for Willie Brown’s re-election in his 1999 race against Tom Ammiano. Welch views himself as the gatekeeper for affordable housing policy in San Francisco. Damned if he were going to allow a new approach to affordable housing proceed without his sign-off. Welch disputed that any affordable housing would ever be built in connection to Cassidy’s revised project, and repeatedly referred to the affordable units as “lipstick on a pig.” Welch also insisted that the project was a “run around city law,” by which he meant that rather than be targeted to tenants at 60% of area median, our project wanted to charge rents affordable to those at 40% of area median. Welch convinced the Planning Commission that our proposed housing was too affordable, and that we should be allowed to rent units to those earning 50% of area median, rather than the 40% we proposed. When the Galvin Apartments held its public opening on October 19, 2006 rents were at 35% of area median, or $561 per month. Had we not done a “run around” city law, we could have charged $952.00 per month, which is 60% of area median for a studio. Supervisor Jake McGoldrick is jealous of Daly and hates the RBA, so this project was payback time. McGoldrick claimed Cassidy would build inferior “mongrel” units, and demanded that one and two bedroom units for families be eliminated so that all units were 400 square feet. Rather than continue to fight over the project, we agreed to the change, which prevented larger families from moving into the building. The Galvin Apartments are located on an alley whose condominiums sell for $500,000 and up. From its high-quality internal finishes to its external construction and design, the Galvin Apartments is at least equal if not superior to its market-rate neighbors. The building was also constructed in less than a year, far faster than any other nonprofit project has ever been built. Building truly affordable housing with no public subsidies sounds too good to be true. But it happened at the Galvin Apartments, and can be repeated if city officials ignore personal agendas and allow best practices to steer the city’s affordable housing agenda.

Graystone Hotel

Location

66 Geary St.

Description

The Graystone hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in May of 2004. The Graystone Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 74 units of housing. Known as the jewel of the City’s homeless program, the Graystone’s Union Square location and unique architecture make it among our most prized leases.

The Hotel’s owner painstakingly restored the historic details and has maintained a skylight that is seen upward from the ground floor. Historically, the hotel had a secret staircase entrance from Maiden Lane to encourage clandestine activities. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Hartland Hotel

Location

909 Geary Street

Description

The Hartland hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in September of 2000. The Hartland Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 137 units of housing, 100 of which have private bathrooms. It’s corner location offers residents great city views and large rooms.

THC took over the Hartland after it had been vacant for two years due to a fire which displaced all residents. Prior to THC’s takeover, the hotel was entirely renovated. Additionally, a renovation project transformed a former commercial beauty salon and used the space to create a lobby and meeting rooms on the ground floor. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

Hotel Union

Location

811 Geary St.

Description

The Hotel Union was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in October of 1999. The Hotel Union is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 60 units of housing, all of which have private bathrooms. The hotel has a spacious lobby and many rooms have quality views.

The owner lived in the hotel prior to THC’s acquisition and kept it in immaculate condition. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

Jefferson Hotel

Location

440 Eddy St.

Description

The Jefferson hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in September of 1999. The project was undertaken at the request of the Mayor’s office, which was closing the Mission Rock Shelter and needed housing for the people who had been staying there. The Jefferson Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 111 units of housing.

THC has a long-term relationship with the Jefferson’s owner, since THC’s takeover we have renovated the basement area for community use and significantly upgraded the entire building. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Leroy Looper Residence

Location

875 Post St.

Description

When THC acquired the Looper, it was known as the Pensione International. It was renamed it honor of Leroy Looper, owner of the Cadillac Hotel and the key figure in the transformation of the Tenderloin into a residential neighborhood.

The Looper became THC’s first “step up hotel”. Because the hotel was long used as a tourist hotel, nearly all the rooms were vacant when we took it over and the hotel was maintained in excellent condition. It has since been legally converted to a 100% residential hotel. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Mission Hotel

Location

520 S. Van Ness Ave

Description

The Mission hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in October of 1999. The project was undertaken at the request of the Mayor’s Office, which was closing the Mission Rock Shelter and needed housing for the people who had been staying there. The Mission Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 248 units of housing.

With 248 rooms, the Mission hotel is San Francisco’s largest SRO. In 2007 a major renovation was concluded which built entirely new common bathrooms, a new woman’s bathroom and increased the number of disabled access rooms. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Pierre Hotel

Location

540 Jones St.

Description

The The Pierre Hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in September of 2004. The Pierre Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 87 units of housing. All the rooms at the Pierre have private bathrooms, which makes it a very attractive resource for the City’s homeless program.

THC took over the Pierre after it had been virtually closed for two years due to habitability problems so severe that the building was put into receivership; there were only 18 tenants living there when our lease began. The new owner completely renovated the entire building. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Raman Hotel

Location

51011 Howard St.

Description

The Raman hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in September of 2005. This is a building that is for senior tenants only. The Raman Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 87 units of housing.

THC took over the Raman after a fire had displaced all the residents and after the owners added a new floor of occupancy. The building was completely redone. It has an elevator, a kitchen and community rooms on the ground floor. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Royan Hotel

Location

405 Valencia St.

Description

The Royan hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in May of 2003. The Royan Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 87 units of housing. The Royan is a beautiful Moorish style building with 50% private baths. Many rooms have great views.

The Royan had never been part of a City homeless program. The owner lived in the hotel for years, and kept it in an immaculate condition. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Seneca Hotel

Location

34 6th St.

Description

The Seneca hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in May of 1999. The 204-room Seneca Hotel was our first leased hotel. The Seneca Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 204 units of housing.

We began managing the Seneca on May 1, 1999. Prior to that time we had been using the hotel as part of our modified payment program, and the owners continually encouraged us to lease the building. THC had never done any leasing or management and was not inclined to do so. However, when we could not get any other non-profit to lease the building and we desperately needed housing for the general assistance population, we felt we had no choice but to become the lessee and manage the property. The Seneca is one of the most beautiful hotels in the City; since THC has taken over a new elevator has been installed as well as a kitchen and community rooms on the ground floor. THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live.

The Vincent Hotel

Location

459 Turk St.

Description

The Vincent hotel was acquired by THC through the SRO/Master Lease Program in May of 2000. The Vincent Hotel is a critical resource to serve the homeless population and provides 103 units of housing.

THC continues to maintain and upgrade this hotel to ensure residents have an affordable and safe place to live. The basement of the hotel was renovated, and is now used for administrative offices.