Tim brings more than 30 years of nonprofit executive experience to the role, along with a strong understanding of HomeRise, its people, and its mission. He previously served as HomeRise’s Interim CEO from November 2022 to June 2023, providing leadership and guidance during a period of organizational transition.

Throughout his career, Tim has helped nonprofit organizations navigate moments of change, strengthen their operations, and remain focused on the communities they serve. His most recent interim leadership positions include serving as Interim CEO of St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco and Openhouse, both valued partners in the Bay Area’s housing and homelessness response system.

Tim has also served as CEO of several Bay Area nonprofits supporting youth, seniors, and families. His experience spans finance, operations, development, direct service, leadership transitions, and organizational turnarounds.

He began his nonprofit career at Larkin Street Youth Services, where he provided direct care to young people experiencing homelessness. That early experience continues to shape his commitment to housing and services that help people build stability and move forward.

“I began my career working alongside young people experiencing homelessness, and thirty years later my belief is unchanged: a home changes everything,” Tim said. “I am returning to 51����because I am committed to supporting its residents and the team members who serve them.”

During his first weeks, Tim plans to focus on listening and learning from the people who know 51����best. “My first weeks will be spent listening and learning from staff, volunteers, partners, and community members,” he said. “I look forward to reconnecting and helping guide 51����through this next transition.”

Tim holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Pitzer College and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Humboldt State University.

51����also extends its gratitude to Leo Levenson, who served as Acting CEO during the leadership transition while continuing in his role as Chief Financial Officer. His steady leadership helped ensure that the organization continued moving forward, and he will now return his full attention to his responsibilities as CFO.

The 51����Board of Directors will continue leading the search for a permanent CEO. In the meantime, the Board is confident that Tim, together with the 51����leadership team, will provide the experience, stability, and focus needed to guide the organization through this transition.

Please join us in welcoming Tim back to HomeRise.

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JoAnn Rodriguez and Dorena Rodriguez of Enterprise Community Partners, along with Kelly Edwards of J.P. Morgan, visited Jazzie Collins Apartments. JoAnn also toured Rene Cazenave Apartments and Edward II. Malcolm Wells of National Equity Fund visited Mission Bay.

These visits were an opportunity to showcase the communities we operate and to deepen the relationships that make our mission possible.

Affordable and permanent supportive housing developments like ours often rely on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), the largest source of affordable housing financing in the United States. Created by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the program has helped place more than 3.5 million affordable units in service nationwide and accounts for roughly 90% of all newly built affordable rental housing.

Here’s how it works: the federal government distributes tax credits to each state, and state housing agencies award them to developers through a competitive process. Developers sell those credits to investors, often banks, in exchange for upfront funding to build or rehabilitate the property. That funding reduces how much the project needs to borrow, which keeps rents affordable for low-income residents. In return, the housing must stay affordable for at least 30 years.

Partners like Enterprise Community Partners, J.P. Morgan, and National Equity Fund play a vital role in this ecosystem, helping turn federal tax credits into the real-world capital that allows 51����to build, rehabilitate, and sustain homes for formerly unhoused residents.

Beyond financial investment, our partners bring long-term commitment, technical expertise, and a shared belief that housing changes lives.

We are equally grateful to the many 51����team members who helped make each visit welcoming and successful: Larry August, Maria Beeler Olsen, Danesha Bishop, Lucille Bonner, Christy Duhart, Jet Doye, Brett Dresden, Chris Escatiola, Phaedra Freeman, Veronica Garcia, Bri Gibson, Marlin Godfrey, Georgina Gomez, Janea Jackson, Sparkle Jernigan, Shavaughn Johnson, Leo Levenson, Karen Martinez, Bridgett Moore, Jared Parker, Tyriesha Racklin, Marie Reyes, Hugh Russell, Muhammad Sheikh, David Williams, Brandon Wiley, and Beck Xathavisouk.

Their collaboration across leadership, housing operations, resident services, compliance, and maintenance reflects the team effort behind every successful 51����community.

Together, these partnerships help bring people home.

The post Strong Partnerships Help Bring People Home appeared first on HomeRise.

Anniversaries invite reflection, but 2025 was not about nostalgia. It was about execution. We advanced a clear, actionable strategic plan that sharpened our focus on housing stability, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability so our work is focused, measurable, and built to last.

And we delivered results that matter. In 2025, vacancy rates decreased to 5%, surpassing the City’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) goal of 7%, at a time when double-digit vacancy rates are common across the industry. Even more importantly, our housing retention rate remained at 98%, well above an 85% benchmark commonly used in supportive housing.

We also expanded our reach. In 2025, 51����served an additional 294 residents reflecting both growing need and our ability to respond with consistent, high-quality support.

We strengthened the community behind this work, too. Donor retention increased to 64% (up from 31%; industry standard is 35% – 45%) and we welcomed 44 new donors, engaged 32 corporate partners, and activated 92 new volunteers.

Now let’s turn momentum into sustainability. If you believe homelessness is solvable, back the work that’s producing measurable outcomes. 

• Donate today to keep housing stable and services strong. 
• Volunteer to bring real capacity to our teams and community spaces. 
• Follow 51����on and and amplify: share this post, comment, and tag someone who should be part of the solution. 

Every action widens the circle of support and keeps more neighbors housed.

With Sincere Gratitude,

   Janéa Jackson, CEO

The post 2025: A Year of Milestones, Momentum, and Measurable Impact at HomeRise appeared first on HomeRise.

At HomeRise, we believe a stable home is the foundation for lasting change. For 35 years, we’ve provided Permanent Supportive Housing with on-site services to help end homelessness in San Francisco. Today, we serve 1500 residents at 18 properties through housing, development, management, and wraparound care. Additionally, 51����maintained a 98% housing retention rate, and saw a 300% increase in participation in voluntary programs.

As I mark two years as CEO, I’m proud of our progress amid major challenges. When I stepped in during 2023, the pandemic had exposed deep flaws in the PSH system and shaken public trust. But I also saw resilience—and the opportunity to lead with focus, restore stability, and renew belief in our mission.

What We’ve Accomplished

Our turnaround strategy has been grounded in three guiding principles: people, process, and procedures. These have shaped every move we’ve made over the last two years.

1. People First:  We’ve filled over 100 critical roles, restructured core teams, and cultivated a culture rooted in purpose and accountability. Our frontline staff—including property managers, resident service coordinators, and maintenance workers—have remained steadfast, even as we’ve navigated change together.
2. Smarter Processes:  We improved vacancy tracking, accelerated unit turnover, and introduced tighter operational workflows. As a result, our vacancy rate dropped from over 18% to 6.7%—well below national averages for supportive housing, which often exceed 10%. In several high-need buildings, unit turnaround times were cut by more than half.
3. Stronger Procedures:  We enhanced internal controls, addressed longstanding compliance concerns, and strengthened documentation across the organization. We’ve also taken a firmer stance on aligning services with real-world needs, including escalating and addressing urgent behavioral health concerns quickly and appropriately to protect both the residents and the broader community.

Ultimately, we’ve expanded mental health, case management, and family services, responding to rising post-pandemic needs with trauma-informed, culturally responsive care and clear safety protocols that promote trust, compassion, and accountability.

What Comes Next

The work isn’t done. In fact, in today’s climate, it’s getting harder. Misconceptions about PSH are being used to undermine funding and public confidence. But data—and lived experience—prove otherwise: PSH works. It saves lives, restores dignity, and offers a real path forward.

That’s why we’re doubling down in three key areas:

1. Stronger Integration with Health & Behavioral Services: We’re expanding partnerships with healthcare and mental health providers to deliver more comprehensive, wraparound support for residents.
2. Reimagining Our Business Model: We’re undertaking a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate our housing portfolio, identify opportunities for cost savings, and explore strategic partnerships—including the potential for 51����to serve as a third-party property management provider in the greater Bay Area. Our aim: to build a more resilient, forward-looking HomeRise.
3. Telling Our Story: We’re working to reclaim the narrative around supportive housing. Through transparency, storytelling, and advocacy, we’ll show why PSH is not only effective—it’s essential.

Gratitude

This progress wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of our staff, residents, partners, funding partners, and Board. Your trust and commitment have fueled this turnaround—and your belief in our mission continues to inspire us.

Join Us

The last two years were about stabilization. The next two are about transformation. At HomeRise, we don’t just provide housing—we walk alongside our residents, staff, and city to build something better.

If you believe in the power of permanent supportive housing, we invite you to stand with us. Every dollar helps change lives.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

— Janéa Jackson, CEO

The post Two Years at HomeRise: Building Stability, Driving Impact, and Looking Ahead appeared first on HomeRise.

What began as a simple initiative to offer blood pressure screenings has evolved into a dynamic program supporting nutrition education, chronic disease prevention, and social connection. Now in its fourth year, the program runs twice annually and has become a cornerstone of holistic care for 51����residents.

From Screenings to Smoothies—Meeting Resident Needs

The student nurses begin each session with a Welcome Brunch, allowing residents to meet the new team and learn what to expect. From there, the interns offer weekly services that go far beyond routine check-ups.

For many residents, blood pressure checks are their first step toward engaging with the healthcare system. Some discover dangerously high readings for the first time and, with the nurses’ support, get immediate referrals for medical intervention—averting strokes or other serious complications. Nurses also help residents enroll in health plans and set up appointments with primary care providers, reducing reliance on emergency rooms for non-urgent care.

For JB Butler, a longtime resident at the Senator, these weekly visits with student nurses Allen and Ali became a lifeline. Like many underserved individuals, JB had long struggled to navigate the healthcare system and manage multiple chronic conditions. Each Tuesday, he would stop by to check his blood pressure—once critically elevated—now within a healthy range thanks to consistent monitoring and support. The nurses also offered guidance on managing his diabetes through diet, making it easier to take small, sustainable steps toward better health.

One week, JB mentioned pain and swelling in his finger. Allen and Ali took his concern seriously and helped schedule a medical appointment. The surprising diagnosis? A small stone lodged in his knuckle, requiring surgery. Without the nurses’ intervention, JB might have continued to suffer needlessly. Instead, he received care and resolution. “The nurses always help me with appointments and understanding the procedures that I need,” he shared. “I trust them, and they are always welcoming and happy to see me. For me, these are important conversations that I need to have as I age and the changes that my body is going through.”

Stories like JB’s also leave a lasting impression on the student nurses. As Allen reflected, “Working at the Senator can be very challenging, but it is some of the most fulfilling work I have done.”

As the program has grown, nutrition education has taken center stage. With the help of donated ingredients from local farmers markets and food rescue partners like ExtraFood, nurses lead interactive sessions where residents prepare meals and smoothies while learning about heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly eating. These shared activities have led to open discussions around chronic health issues, better shopping habits, and practical meal planning strategies residents can carry forward.

Each cohort adapts its services to meet the specific needs of the residents at their assigned site. Some groups have introduced new resource binders with updated information on local services. Others have offered informal sessions on topics like end-of-life planning or navigating mental health care. A standout initiative has even included baking and decorating healthy cupcakes together—a creative way to support nutrition while building community.

A Model for Connection, Care, and Replication

In addition to providing essential health education, the program has become a valuable tool in reducing social isolation—particularly among seniors and new residents. Isolation can significantly impact both physical and mental health, increasing the risk of conditions such as hypertension, cognitive decline, and depression. The weekly nurse-led sessions give residents something to look forward to: conversation, laughter, and the joy of sharing stories and meals together.

Reminiscing has emerged as a spontaneous and recurring theme during group activities. Residents frequently share memories from their past, discovering new connections and common ground with others who live in the building. These small moments of recognition and friendship help residents feel more at home in their communities and more empowered in their wellness journeys.

The program ends with a Goodbye Brunch, offering a chance for reflection and gratitude. While each group of student nurses is different, they leave behind healthier residents, updated wellness resources, and a community better equipped to care for itself.

Thanks to its flexible and responsive design, the SFSU nursing partnership is already being replicated across multiple 51����sites, including Cambridge Apartments and 666 Ellis, in addition to the Senator Hotel. With each semester, the program strengthens—not only supporting residents but also shaping the next generation of public health professionals. Many nursing students finish their internships inspired to pursue careers in community health, a reflection of the powerful impact this work has on their professional outlook.

As 51����continues to grow and welcome new leadership, expanding this model to more sites remains a top priority. The goal is to ensure all residents have access to the same level of care, education, and connection—no matter which building they call home.

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These undulating wooden benches do more than catch the eye—they create space for community. With their flowing forms and warm, natural materials, they encourage residents and neighbors alike to slow down, take a breath, and engage with the environment and one another. Whether used for a quiet moment of reflection or a casual conversation between friends, the benches help turn a public plaza into a shared living room.

We’re grateful to TS Studio for their thoughtful approach to design—one that brings both beauty and belonging to the people we serve.

Read the full article at .

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During the visit to HomeRise’s Arnette Watson Apartments (AWA)—an 83-unit building home to families, including 30 children—Supervisor Mahmood met with 51����CEO Janea Jackson, Board Housing Committee Chair Heidy Braverman, Board Member and Resident Representative Juthaporn Chaloeicheep, and the dedicated AWA staff. This tour offered a glimpse into the “village” that has formed within AWA’s walls, where neighbors look out for one another, children grow and learn together, and families receive the wraparound support needed to thrive. It’s this sense of community that helps break the cycle of homelessness, providing a stable environment for children to blossom and families to rebuild their lives.

Permanent supportive housing has proven to be one of the most effective means to address chronic homelessness. Today’s tour reaffirmed the importance of investing in nonprofit partners who not only provide housing but also cultivate a nurturing environment and comprehensive services that help people regain independence and hope.

Guided by leaders from SHPN, the broader tour shed light on the essential staffing models, infrastructure, and compassionate care needed to operate permanent supportive housing successfully. They also emphasized the challenges providers face—from workforce shortages to underfunding—and called for greater support and policy alignment to scale these community-driven models citywide.

The Supportive Housing Provider Network is a coalition of nonprofit organizations committed to ending homelessness through the provision of safe housing, meaningful connections, and a network of supportive services.

For more information about 51����and our mission, sign up for our newsletter here.

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Throughout April, 51����is offering a range of workshops and resources designed to build essential money management skills. Topics include budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and navigating financial systems—all geared toward helping participants gain confidence and control over their finances.

“Financial literacy is a foundational skill that everyone deserves access to, especially those working to overcome housing instability,” said Katriel Spiker, Director of Resident Services at HomeRise. “By partnering with these mission-aligned organizations, we’re creating opportunities for learning, empowerment, and sustainable growth.”

These financial literacy initiatives are part of our broader mission to uplift and support the communities we serve. By equipping individuals with practical tools and information, we aim to foster greater independence and resilience.

Let’s work together this Financial Literacy Month to invest in brighter futures—because money matters, and knowledge is power.

For more information about 51����and our mission, sign up for our newsletter here.

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We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our Award of Excellence recipients. Your hard work, passion, and leadership make a tremendous impact on 51����and the community we serve. Thank you for your continued dedication to excellence!

Celebrating Our Award Recipients:

• Mary Briggs
• Lanisha Thomas
• Karen Martinez
• Alicia Robertson
• Maria Fuentes
• Dietrich Heick
• Suriana Budiman
• Britney Bynum
• Gina Withers
• Dale Wilson
• Malik Jones
• Patricia Wooley
• Deborah Jackson
• Maria Gorina
• David Williams
• Kat Spiker
• Eileen Myers
• Leo Levenson

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During the tour, ULI members had the opportunity to learn about the vital role that stable, service-enriched housing plays in addressing homelessness. 51����staff, many of whom have lived experience with housing insecurity, shared personal stories about how permanent supportive housing has provided them and others with a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency.

HomeRise’s work demonstrates that housing is more than just shelter—it’s a foundation for rebuilding lives. Hearing directly from those who have benefited from these programs highlights the profound impact of supportive housing on individuals and communities.

The tour also inspired several ULI members to express interest in volunteering and collaborating on future permanent supportive housing projects, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing innovative solutions for housing stability.

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As one of the pioneers in the first wave of Navigation Centers in San Francisco under Mayor Ed Lee, the Civic Center Hotel not only transformed into San Francisco’s second-ever Navigation Center – providing robust support services including case management and clinical mental health care – it also continued to be home to residents who resided there nearly two decades. The Navigation Center provided critical housing case management in partnership with Coordinated Entry – the City’s “front door” for connecting those experiencing homelessness to available resources, including housing.

Since 2015, 51����has managed the Civic Center Hotel Navigation Center with remarkable success, placing 416 individuals into Permanent, Supportive Housing throughout San Francisco! Of which 29 were placed in 51����properties. In surveying folks as they exited the Navigation Center, 77% of over 650 people noted a positive experience – a testament to the effort and dedication of HomeRise’s case management staff.

As the Civic Center Hotel Navigation Center nears its end, all of the building’s permanent residents have moved into HomeRise’s newest building, Jazzie Collins Aparments just around the corner at 53 Colton Street. Additionally, all of the Navigation Center participants will have relocated to either Jazzie Collins Apartments, 51����at Mission Bay, or other Permanent Supporting Housing residences throughout the city.

We also highly encourage you to listen to the KQED Forum episode, “What It Takes to Make SRO Hotels Run Well” where 51����and the Civic Center Hotel Navigation Center feature prominently: learn more about this building, its’ history, and the impactful services it provided, please visit:

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Jazzie Collins Apartments has officially opened ahead of schedule at in neighborhood. The six-story building, named after one of the city’s famous social activists, has created 96 new units of permanent supportive housing co-developed by and . The opening occurred earlier this week with the Mayor in attendance.

51����shares that Jazzie Collins Apartments aims to serve “our community’s most vulnerable, at-risk residents – adults formerly experiencing homelessness here in San Francisco.” Collins herself advocated for the city’s seniors as the Vice Chair for the LGBT Aging Policy Task Force and on the San Francisco Trans March’s board of directors.

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San Francisco, CA — Today, Mayor London N. Breed joined City officials and community leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Jazzie Collins Apartments, located at 53 Colton Street. The 96-unit, 100% permanent supportive housing development is part of a larger mixed-use development at 1629 Market Street, also known as the Plumbers Union project. The new supportive housing units, along with the construction of an additional 499 units as part of the Plumbers Union project, are a key part of the revitalization of the greater “Hub” neighborhood surrounding the intersection of Market Street and Van Ness Avenue.

…

Jazzie Collins Apartments represents a joint venture partnership between 51����and Strada Investment Group who co-managed the project’s entitlements and development process and co-secured the project’s financing. Strada provided funding and managed construction for the project, while 51����is managing all lease-up and operational start-up activities. 51����is also the owner, property manager, and service provider of Jazzie Collins Apartments.

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Thursday’s decision: Gun violence and safety is a significant issue for our residents,  The decision by the Supreme Court making it possible for anyone to carry a concealed weapon is a direct threat to safety and health of our 2,000 residents and 300 staff.  It will make our ability to enhance our violence prevention strategy even more challenging.

Friday’s decision: By overturning Roe v. Wade, women’s rights are now severely impacted and there will be both a monumental health care impact and a profound economic impact on the well-being of women and their children most acutely effecting low income woman and people of color.  At HomeRise, we help the 2,000 people we serve secure healthcare services through permanent supportive housing, including 159 children and over 200 parents.  Many more women in the U.S. will be forced to carry often unwanted pregnancies to term now, thrusting many of them into (or deeper into) poverty.  The result will be an increase in homelessness on a system already struggling to manage the existing unhoused population in SF and beyond.

Future Erosion of Civil Rights:

Besides the freedom of medical choice, we know from Justice Clarence Thomas’s comments after yesterday’s decision, that life choice and the same undergirding principles which allow for LGBTQ marriage are next on the agenda of the Supermajority of the Supreme Court.  So, the overturning of Roe should be both a wake up and a unifying call for every person regarding our right to privacy and broader civil rights.  In the majority opinion overturning Roe, Thomas wrote:

“In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell,” Thomas wrote, referring to decisions on contraception, sodomy, and same-sex marriage.

Overturning these three other precedents would severely impact the LGBTQ community which make up a disproportionate percentage of people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco—see data below.

Please read on and help spread awareness for some of the community Pride gatherings this weekend.

While the Pride festivities we know today might normally appear like a city-wide party, it’s especially important to remember that the origins of Pride are rooted as much in liberation and struggle as in celebration – a struggle that remains relevant to today as we see the LGBTQ community come under attack by possible decisions of the court to erode hard won protections.

As important as the dates on your calendar are the very real facts and figures that affect the lives of the LGBTQ community well beyond Pride Month:

• 2 times: Sexual Minority groups are twice as likely as the general population to experience homelessness
• 20 percent of Black transgender people are unemployed and 38 percent in poverty, more than 2 times the average rate of non-transgender black people
• 28 percent of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives — and those who did had 3.5���پ������ the rate of attempting suicide
• 40 percent of 4.2 Million youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGTBQ despite representing just 9.5 percent of the general population
• 50��Transgender people murdered in 2021
• 120 percent higher risk of homelessness for LGBTQ than the general population

For more information on the events this weekend, please visit:

• Pride Parade: 
• Trans March: 
• Dyke March: 

In the coming days and weeks there will certainly be a slew of more marches and demonstrations in SF and throughout the Bay Area.  51����stands in solidarity with all those who stand for the pursuit of justice, rights, choice, and freedom and will continue to post activities for people to make their voices heard.

For more information on the facts and figures listed in this post, please visit:

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Juneteenth serves as a symbolic milestone on our journey toward a perfect union; celebrations at churches, parks, parades, and barbecues, are filled with sounds of Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Miles Davis, and many more as the communities come together to celebrate the enduring promise of our country; that all of us are created equal.

On Thursday, June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill creating a new federal holiday, “Juneteenth National Independence Day,” to celebrate the freeing of America’s last slaves—the first federal holiday to be created in nearly 40 years, noting that it was the first national holiday established since Martin Luther King’s birthday in 1983.

Our celebrations are stained with anguish this year as the Black communities across the United States bear yet another racial attack. A mass shooting in Buffalo methodically shot and killed ten people and injured three more—almost all Black—in one of the deadliest racist massacres in recent American history. Their God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were cruelly snatched away. Our hearts go to their families, friends, and the Buffalo community.

We don’t have to look far to see that racism, bigotry, hate, and intolerance are still all too alive in our world, just as the slaves of Galveston knew that Emancipation was only the first step toward true freedom—with an abundance of work remaining undone.

Reflecting on history, Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are, instead it’s a celebration of progress. Despite the most painful parts of our history, things do get better.

Today is a day to find joy in the face of ambiguity. Let’s count our blessings, hold the ones we love closer, and take a moment to connect with our Ancestors who lifted their voices in sounds and words, “Free at Last, Hallelujah I’m Free.” This day belongs to Black Communities across America.

– Germaine Daneille Bond, DEI Taskforce Chair

To learn more about the history behind Juneteenth and why it resonates today, please watch this

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TAY are young adults (18-25) transitioning out of public systems, like foster care, and/or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. 51����has positioned its innovative service delivery model to fit the specific needs of TAY residents.

What services are offered?

Using housing as a platform, 51����provides a combination of case management services, clinical mental health services, groups and events, community-building activities and skill-building to help TAY on their path to self-sufficiency.

At the 5th Street Apartments on 5th and Harrison in SoMa, an intensive workforce development program is run out of the Training & Development Center, a nearly 3,000 sq. ft. space on the building’s ground floor specifically devoted to workforce training and development needs. Providing residents a stable and dedicated learning environment, complete with a computer lab, the Center helps program participants build their professional skills while incorporating needed computer learning skills into training classes. .

Further north in the Marina, 51����partnered closely with Larkin Street Youth Services and the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development to transform the Edward II Inn into 25 units of supportive housing, serving TAY. With 51����the Edward II, residents receive a combination of job training, case management services and educational support provided by Larkin Street’s highly effective programming.

Housing Challenges Facing TAY and Foster Youth in San Francisco:

Mayor Newsom, first codified policy recommendations addressed at improving outcomes for San Francisco’s most vulnerable youth under the Mayor’s Task Force on Transitional Youth. This report found that one of the most critical components of successful programs for TAY, were those that provided supportive services.

San Francisco has one of the highest rates of TAY homelessness in the country. The most recent Point-In-Time survey conducted in San Francisco, found that of the 1,145 TAY experiencing homelessness in the city, 82% lacked shelter, and 29% had been in the foster system. In addition, almost half of the TAY experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+, while TAY of color are disproportionately represented compared to the city as a whole.

Housing and supportive services are crucial interventions in the lives of TAY experiencing homelessness so that they may enjoy a health transition to adulthood.

TAY at HomeRise

Count of TAY-dedicated units in 51����sites: 68 (24 at Edward II and 44 at Fifth Street )

Count of groups held in 2021 at 5th Street’s Training & Development Center: 101

Current count of active TAY residents in all 51����buildings: 127 (103 residents from HomeRise’s 14 sites with 51����services staff + 24 from Edward II)

Learn more below:

San Francisco Youth Homeless Count & Survey 2019 Executive Summary

The post Building A Legacy: Edward II and 5th Street Apartments appeared first on HomeRise.

Who was Zygmunt Arendt?

Zymunt Arendt, a WWII-refugee, led a brief career as a car inspector for Southern Pacific Railroad for just over a decade. Arendt’s true calling was as a savvy investor, where he amassed a small fortune playing the stock market. At the time of his passing, Arendt’s canny investment strategies saw him yield dividends of nearly $20,000 per month – leaving behind an estate worth around $6 million.

In his last will and testament, handwritten in 1989 nine years before his passing, he bequeathed his wealth to the City of San Francisco for the sole purpose of helping the city’s poor and elderly. The City paid his request forward, investing in the development of the Zygmunt Arendt House. Today, the dozens of residents that call Zygmunt Arendt House home, are a testament to Arendt’s kindness, and the fulfillment of his last wish coming true.

Learn more about Zygmunt Arendt House and Zygmunt Arendt below:

A Tale Worth Retelling

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The daughter of prominent Fillmore minister and NAACP Vice President, Reverend Arnold Townsend, political activism was imparted on Rachel from a young age. Rachel lent her time to local churches, working with fatherless young girls. She campaigned for local Black candidates like Mayor London Breed. She reconnected youth to a proud history and community of Black rodeo.

Rachel is most profoundly known for her role as a driving force behind San Francisco’s Juneteenth celebrations, and in 2013 she began organizing the city’s entire Juneteenth event. Juneteenth in San Francisco is the longest continuous urban Juneteenth celebration throughout the country. The struggle for the survival and revival of Juneteenth in San Francisco that Rachel so resiliently fought for in many ways mirrors the history of the Black community across San Francisco that has combatted forced displacement from the Fillmore and Western Addition since WWII. As her father Rev. Townsend notes, “Even at this time when our population is dwindling, and it looks so hopeless, there will always be a Black presence. It’s to mark that we were once here. Some child is going to always ask: Who was she? Who was Rachel Townsend?”

After Rachel’s sudden passing in 2018, Mayor London Breed joined community leaders and 51����in December of the same year to celebrate the rehabilitation and rededication of 1750 McAllister Street as the Rachel Townsend Apartments. The following year’s Juneteenth celebrations were named in her honor, commemorating her work to hold space for Juneteenth in San Francisco.

What is Juneteenth?

“June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln presented the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, slaves in Texas finally received word: They were free. Black communities in Texas and beyond annually celebrate this day, Juneteenth, which officially became a federal holiday in 2021.” Source:

San Francisco’s Juneteenth History:

Juneteenth was introduced to San Francisco’s Western Addition community by Wesley Johnson, a Texas native. Celebrations spread throughout the 1940s, mostly in smaller community spaces such as churches and Black-owned nightclubs, the latter of which played host to Fillmore’s thriving, “Harlem of the West”, jazz scene. 1950s and 1960s federal redevelopment policies carried out by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency later decimated large swaths of the Fillmore in the name of slum clearance and urban renewal, destroying much of the existing building stock including many of the buildings that once housed Juneteenth commemorations. From the 1960s onward, Juneteenth morphed into the public celebrations more commonly seen today. Shrinking political support from City Hall, in part a reflection of San Francisco’s declining Black population, forced the community to shoulder much of the burden for organizing and running the city’s Juneteenth celebration. One pillar of this community work we honor today, was Rachel Townsend.

Learn more about Rachel Townsend and San Francisco’s Juneteenth Celebrations here:

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Working Nation, by Laura Aka

HomeRise, a San Francisco nonprofit that has been around for more than 30 years, helps secure housing for the homeless population and offers job training and temporary work placements with a goal of permanent employment. The last count of unhoused people in San Francisco tallied about 8,000 people.

Since the onset of the pandemic, more than 3,700 people have been served by the City of San Francisco’s Shelter-in-Place (SIP) hotels—launched in April of last year. When the SIP program ends, 51����will partner with the city to help remaining participants obtain permanent supportive housing.

CEO Rick Aubry says the ‘housing first’ model is critical. “It’s something that has been studied numerous times that’s proven to be the most effective intervention. It’s something that is somewhat counter-intuitive for lots of folks, because there is sort of a moral imperative in the United States where you have to earn it, before you get in.”

The 1,500 51����units are a combination of acquired single room occupancy buildings and new construction. The units are home to 1,920 people including 300 children who live with one or two parents.
Rick Aubry, CEO at 51����(Photo: HomeRise)

Aubry continues, “If you provide people with the safety and security of a place to live and you let them then start organizing their lives, it’s proven much more likely that their lives will prove to be successful.”

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After a fire tore through a Victorian on Shotwell Street in the Mission, the building — which used to house six seniors in a residential care home — sat empty for six years.

Small residential care facilities like the one at 628 Shotwell St. are disappearing at an alarming rate in San Francisco, putting vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities, mental illness or addiction at risk of homelessness with little access to needed treatment services.

In San Francisco, the number of assisted living facilities for seniors and adults with disabilities dropped 38% since 2012, with beds dropping 17%, according to city reports. Hardest hit were the smallest facilities serving low-income residents. At least 100 people were waiting to get a spot in a facility, according to the most recent count.

The post S.F. is rapidly losing care facilities for the mentally ill and elderly. But a plan to save them is promising appeared first on HomeRise.