Activism

S.F. Mayor Advances Historic Homelessness Recovery Plan with 4 New Innovative Projects

“These four innovative new and exciting projects demonstrate and help fulfill the vision of Mayor Breed’s Homelessness Recovery Plan,” said San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, executive director, Shireen McSpadden. “We know that housing is the solution to homelessness. By continuing to expand access to housing, and new shelter models we can stabilize more homeless residents in our community.”

Published

2 years ago

December 22, 2021

Oakland Post

As part of Mayor London Breed’s bold Homelessness Recovery Plan, the City has committed to acquiring or leasing 1,500 new units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and expanding shelter options for people living outdoors.

New projects will add shelter for up to 430 people and nearly 200 units of permanent supportive housing

By S.F. Mayor’s Office of Communications

Mayor London N. Breed announced on December 10 the City is moving forward with four new projects that will provide shelter for up to 430 individuals and permanent housing for 194 residents who are currently experiencing homelessness.

As part of Breed’s bold Homelessness Recovery Plan, the City has committed to acquiring or leasing 1,500 new units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and expanding shelter options for people living outdoors. There is an unprecedented confluence of local, state, and federal funding sources that provide the unique opportunity for significant investments in new permanent housing and shelter options.

This strategy brought in over 360 units of supportive housing through the 2020 Homekey Grant Program, and this fall, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to acquire and convert three more existing properties into supportive housing in Districts 11, 9, and 6, which will add an additional 237 units.

To continue to build toward these goals, the City is announcing the following proposed four new projects:

In partnership with the non-profit provider Urban Alchemy, master lease the property located at 711 Post St. to operate a new semi-congregate shelter for adults
In partnership with Tenderloin Housing Clinic, fund a master lease and operations of the Garland Hotel located at 505 O’Farrell St. to add 80 units of affordable housing with onsite social services
Convert the Baldwin Hotel, located at 74 6^th St., from its current use as supportive housing to approximately 180 units of non-congregate shelter for adults
Proposed acquisition of the property located at 835 Turk St. to add up to 114 units of Permanent Supportive Housing in District 5

“We’re continuing to push forward in implementing our ambitious Homelessness Recovery Plan, which is the largest expansion of new Permanent Supportive Housing in over 20 years. These new projects will allow us to provide shelter for up to 430 individuals and permanent housing for 194 residents who are homeless in San Francisco,” said Breed. “We’re creating the places we need for people to get the housing and care they need so we can address the challenges we see on our streets and make a difference in the lives of people facing homelessness.”

The proposed master lease of 711 Post Street would provide temporary, semi-congregate shelter for adults experiencing homelessness through 123 units that include single, double, and quad units. The property is ideal for this new shelter model as it provides many amenities, including small sleeping rooms, bathrooms and showers on each floor, community lounges, lobby and front desk, commercial kitchen and dining space, and ADA chair lift at the entrance.

The semi-congregate shelter program that HSH is proposing would be operated by Urban Alchemy and would include meals for guests as well as dedicated Urban Alchemy staff practitioners supporting street activation along Post Street.

“The Urban Alchemy approach works because it is holistic. We embrace our unhoused neighbors who need safe spaces, and we embrace the neighborhood, so the quality of life improves for everyone,” said Lena Miller, CEO of Urban Alchemy that runs shelters throughout California. “The 711 Post model is exciting, and we’re committed to delivering our trademark success – a stable shelter with resources for those in need and a neighborhood of cleaner, safer streets.”

Additionally, in partnership with Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC), the City is proposing to lease the Garland Hotel at 505 O’Farrell for use as permanent housing. The property has 80 units, an elevator, private bathrooms, private kitchenettes, is in close proximity to public transportation, and has been recently renovated.

Tenderloin Housing Clinic has extensive experience operating PSH and will be the leaseholder, operator, and service provider.

A third proposed project will convert the Baldwin Hotel from Permanent Supportive Housing to a non-congregate shelter. The Baldwin Hotel is currently a PSH Program, but the small rooms and lack of private bathrooms have been challenging to operate. The approximately 100 existing tenants at the Baldwin will have an opportunity to move with their current service provider (THC) to the Garland Hotel or another comparable PSH site.

Once tenants are relocated from the Baldwin, the Site would be re-opened as a non-congregate shelter as part of HSH’s temporary shelter portfolio, supporting the expansion of non-congregate shelter models that have been successful during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Shelter-in-Place (SIP) hotel program.

“It’s a huge improvement for the Baldwin residents,” said Tenderloin Housing Clinic executive director, Randy Shaw. “We thank Mayor Breed and HSH for seizing the opportunity to lease one of San Francisco’s finest SRO hotels into the permanent supportive housing program.”

The service provider of this non-congregate shelter has not yet been identified, and the shelter program is anticipated to open in the Spring/Summer of 2022.

The final proposed project is to purchase the property at 835 Turk St. in District 5 and convert it to Permanent Supportive Housing with up to 114 units with private bathrooms. The building will provide affordable homes with onsite social services to help tenants gain and maintain housing and stability.

The site will have staff, professional property management, and support services. The property is currently a residential hotel with high vacancy and includes generously sized rooms with private bathrooms, a lobby, dining room, and parking garage.

Through these four exciting, proposed projects, the City will add semi-congregate shelter for up to 200-250 guests, 194 new units of supportive housing, and approximately 180 new units of non-congregate shelter.

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Lend A Hand Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Lend A Hand Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. On stage: KTVU Fox 2 Broadcasters Roberta Gonzales and Dave ClarkDance-A-Vision Founder, Carla Service, Vice Mayor Kimberly Mayfield-Lynch, California State Assemblymember Mia Bonta and Lend A Hand Foundation Executive Director Dee Johnson with the Dance-A-Vision Dancers. Photo By Carla Thomas

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Lend A Hand Foundation Celebrates 25th Anniversary at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland. On stage: KTVU Fox 2 Broadcasters Roberta Gonzales and Dave ClarkDance-A-Vision Founder, Carla Service, Vice Mayor Kimberly Mayfield-Lynch, California State Assemlbymember Mia Bonta and Lend A Hand Foundation Executive Director Dee Johnson with the Dance-A-Vision Dancers. Photo By Carla Thomas

By Carla Thomas

The Lend A Hand Foundation (LAHF) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the organization’s Stay In School Program on May 9 at the Scottish Rite Center in Oakland.

Themed “Together We Can Empower Our Youth to Stay in School,” the event featured a pre-event reception featuring Oakland’s Kev Choice Ensemble.

The ensemble featured Oakland School for the Arts student, Ayo Brame, a 16-year-old, up-and-coming tenor saxophone jazz musician. The master and mistress of ceremonies were local broadcasters Dave Clark and Roberta Gonzales of KTVU Fox 2. Clark’s wife, Lucretia also supported the program.

A special appearance featured Dwayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné! on guitar, performing the group’s hit song “Anniversary” as guests dined on salmon, chicken, beef and vegetarian entrees prepared by the Food Network “Chopped” Champion, Chef Rashad Armstead of Oakland. California State Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) provided the keynote address and the Carla Service Dance-A-Vision youth dancers energetically performed a hip hop routine throughout the audience in white leotards as attendees clapped along. An auction led by Auctioneer Franco Finn assisted in raising funds for the organization with prizes that included a luxury resort vacation and other items.

LAHF presented District 5 Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and District 4 Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley with Lifetime Supporter Awards. LAHF presented the Trailblazer Award to Guy Richardson of Ernst and Young; Dante Green of Kaiser Permanente; Antioch Attorney Gordon Greenwood of the Kazan McClain Partner’s Foundation; and Sarah Yoell of PG&E.

Oakland Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Kyla Trammel Johnson acknowledged LAHF’s impact.

“Each year, LAHF gives backpacks and school supplies to thousands of students across Oakland,” said Johnson. “In 2022 the effort topped 25,000 students. No matter the need, big or small, involving lots of students or just one, Lend A Hand is always there ready to make a difference in the lives of our young people.”

Founder and executive director of LAHF Dee Johnson took the stage as the DJ played the Sledge Sisters’ “We Are Family.”

Guests gave Johnson a standing ovation as she thanked supporters and presented many of them with gifts.

“It’s heartbreaking to know some children don’t have clothes or supplies for school,” said Johnson. “The babies really need our support and when we deliver supplies to them, it makes them really happy.”

Since the LAHF Annual Stay in School Program began in 1999, it has provided over 150,000 educational school supply kits to students throughout Alameda County, including Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, and San Leandro, among other cities.

“This past August, we provided for over 12,000 students with supplies, with the help and support of our very generous donors,” said Johnson. “This year, we aim to do all we can to match that amount or provide even more.”

For more information visit: www.LendaHandFoundation.org

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Chef Cleaz and Mistah F.A.B. Host “You Still Have A Son” Mother’s Day Dinner

Oakland Chef Cleaz and Bay Area rapper, author Stanley Cox, aka Mistah F.A.B., hosted a Mother’s Day dinner on Monday, May 13, at Pierre Pierre, a restaurant in the Tribune building in downtown Oakland. The restaurant was decorated with balloons and flowers for the event, and each mother received a bouquet of red roses.

Published

1 day ago

May 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Chef Cleaz, owner of Pierre Pierre Restaurant, and rapper and author Mistah F.A.B. announce special event "You Still Have Son" Mother's Day dinner. Photo Courtesy KTVU Channel 2.

By Carla Thomas

The restaurant was decorated with balloons and flowers for the event, and each mother received a bouquet of red roses.

Organized for mothers who have lost their children, for mothers in need of extra love on Mother’s Day, the event gave the hosts an opportunity to remember their own mothers while doing something special for over 100 mothers in the community.

Both men recounted the deep sense of grief they faced in the loss of their mothers and recognized the many mothers who have outlived their children.

“We were in my restaurant, and F.A.B. was having dinner and said he wanted to do something special but wasn’t sure what it would look like,” said Chef Cleaz. “We continued to brainstorm, and at first F.A.B. wanted to come up with ways to bring more business to my new restaurant and serve the community. But days later, F.A.B. came up with the idea for mothers.”

“In these tough times. we know life can get you down'” explained F.A.B. “And expect to lose a parent, but a parent should not lose their child, and with Mother’s Day around the corner, we decided to show moms in need of something special and extra love.”

F.A.B. also knew that Chef Cleaz had recently lost his mother, which made the idea even more appropriate to them.

So, the day after Mother’s Day, F.A.B. and Cleaz hosted “You Still Have A Son, Momma” at Pierre Pierre.

“We wanted moms to still feel appreciated under the covenant of family and love,” said F.A.B.

“I remember my mother being my rock,” said Cleaz. “My mom played a very important part in my life, and not having her anymore gave me the impetus to do something in her honor. She gave me a lot in her lifetime. F.A.B. offered to pay for the entire event, but I said, let’s collaborate.”

“My mom was my best friend, and on Mother’s Day I cry and listen to music so I can get the tears out. But I’m happy because I’m living my purpose, continuing to evolve as a man and father to Liberty and Legacy and continue making my mom proud.”

Initially, Cleaz and F.A.B. planned for 50 to 75 guests, but after they advertised the event via social media posts, the RSVP’s kept rolling in. At last count,120 mothers responded.

F.A.B. said he did not plan on turning anybody away if there were more guests. “If they’re coming, there is a void of love that they are coming for,” he said. Chef Cleaz’s staff donated their time, and entertainer Dyson the Voice brought his band and sang all night.

“We wanted to see all the beautiful women out there,” said F.A.B. “We wanted to see lots of beautiful smiles, faces, and we want the mothers to feel appreciated.”

F.A.B. said his sister Theresa lost her son and that he knows at a very personal level how deep the loss of a child is through her. “You never really get over the loss, you deal with it. You try to make life better for those around you.”

Pierre Pierre is located at 401 13th St. Owner Chef Cleaz is a renowned celebrity chef from the vibrant culinary scene of San Francisco. Born from humble beginnings, he has forged an extraordinary path to culinary stardom, exemplifying Black excellence with each delectable dish he creates.

A dedicated father and loving husband, his commitment to family values extends far beyond his home, as he tirelessly helps anyone he sees in need.

Chef Cleaz has built an empire rooted in his passion for food and a deep respect for cultural heritage. His vision is to establish a sanctuary of culinary artistry, where creole and soul food recipes take center stage. He aims to create a space that the community can proudly call its own, a place where shared meals become moments of togetherness and cultural celebration.

Through his culinary creations, he invites visitors to savor not just his delectable dishes but also the history, traditions, and stories that infuse every plate.

F.A.B. is an American songwriter, entrepreneur, community organizer, and activist whose music career began in the late 1990s when he was discovered by Jazzy Jim and Gary Archer. He was featured on a number of Mac Dre’s Thizz Nation mixtape compilations and quickly gained prominence in the San Francisco Bay Area Hyphy Movement.

F.A.B. is the owner of D.O.P.E. clothing store and other businesses. He is known for hosting community block parties, school supply giveaways, and holiday parties for the underserved. He also created Thug Therapy, a movement for men to receive mental health support, which inspired the work of another community organizer, the late Shantell Herndon, creator of FLY Girl Therapy and Healing Circles.