TODCO Group 2024 Year in Review and 2025 Ahead
The TODCO Group 2024 Year in Review and 2025 Ahead!
Welcome to the first TODCO newsletter of 2025. Our goal is to give you some insight into our work on a quarterly basis. In this issue, we share insight into our community arts work, our resident celebrations, advocacy, a look at one of our prevention/health efforts, and life on Sixth Street.
We are eagerly anticipating a productive and fulfilling 2025. Before we continue racing into the new year, let’s take a moment to appreciate our fantastic staff for their indispensable contributions to improving our resident community, our buildings, and the broader SoMa and San Francisco neighborhoods. Many thanks to all of you!
As we march into 2025, we look forward to residents enjoying the complete renovation and transformation of the KNOX SRO. We are excited to expand our services and partnerships that uplift our residents, and to find new ways to improve our buildings so they are not only housing but also a respite and home for our residents. We also look forward to bringing beauty and inspiration to others through our community arts program, and we will continue to demand more quality affordable housing and economic justice through our advocacy and community building.
Thank you for joining us as we share insights into our multi-faceted work.
- Anna Yee, TODCO Group Chief Executive Officer
TODCO's Knox SRO Renovation Will Be Completed In The Fall Of 2025
A Better Life for 150 TODCO tenants and Life-Changing support for 30 Chronically Homeless San Franciscans
The Knox SRO is a 140-unit residence for low-income Central City San Franciscans built by TODCO in the Sixth Street Redevelopment Area. It replaced the Anglo Hotel at Sixth and Tehama Streets that was heavily damaged by the 1989 Loms Prieta Earthquake and demolished. Construction was completed five years later in 1994. The Knox's development by TODCO was initially financed by a combination of the Redevelopment Agency, State disaster recovery funds, and federal affordable housing tax credits.
After 30 years of operation, it needed renovations and updates. In 2023 TODCO secured a $13,625,799 loan from the State Department of Housing through its Portfolio Reinvestment Program (PRP), a program designed to extend the long-term viability of existing low-income rental projects originally funded by the State. $6,789,810 from the State's HHC program held by the Mayor's Office of Housing was added to that and work commenced in early 2024. The project is updating all the fire-life safety alarm systems in the building, provides a new roof, upgrades mechanical systems and replaces all the windows. Each of the 140 units will have a complete make-over with new kitchenettes, heaters, flooring and fresh paint. In addition, each tenant will receive a new bed and armoire.
TODCO is coordinating the temporary relocation of residents for the work, floor-by-floor during the renovation, moving tenants out, completing the floor and then moving them back in while proceeding to the next floor. Currently work is half complete down to the 5th floor and the tenants who have already returned have expressed pleasure and satisfaction, including delight with the brighter colored common area hallways and elevator lobbies. The full renovation is scheduled for completion in the 3rd Quarter of 2025.
As part of the PRP funding, the Knox has been selected by the State to implement a Housing for Healthy California (HHC) Supportive Services Plan for the Chronically Homeless (HHC Plan). Starting this year the Knox will set-aside 30-units for chronically homeless persons who are deemed eligible of health care provided through the California Department of Health Care Services Medi-Cal Program. Generally, the Knox HHC Plan supports individuals that in addition to being homeless can be diagnosed with substance abuse, mental illness or chronic physical disabilities and have a history of repeated homelessness. TODCO is partnering with the Felton Institute to provide the additional supportive services necessary to address the needs of HHC Plan residents.
And last but not least the Knox's iconic InnerCity Home mural, above, that means so much to the Sixth Street community has been fully restored by its artist, Rigo 24.
TODCO’S New 6M Community Gallery Will Open With First Show In The Spring Of 2025
Soulful Art by Central City and SOMA Community Artists and Organizations will bring new Inspiration to today’s distressed Sixth Street Neighborhood
The corner retail space at 1000 Mission Street, the pivotal intersection of Sixth and Mission Streets, in TODCO’s Bayanihan House SRO residence next to the Bayanihan Community Center has been empty since Covid stopped the community meetings often held there. So TODCO invested $100,000 to remodel it for a 1500 sq ft community showcase gallery to display the wonderful artworks of the people of the Central and community arts programs.
The first show this Spring will feature the inspiring work of TODCO’s five-year Artist In Residence, Michael Rios, a legendary San Francisco Artist Emeritus, including his Sixth Street poster above and the Howard Street People First mural:
Our new 6M Community Gallery will again also host gatherings for the SOMA community. It joins the 6th On 7th Gallery of TODCO’s Sixth Street Photography Workshop (https://www.6thon7th.org/history), opened in 2014 at Seventh and Mission Streets in TODCO’s Hotel Isabel SRO residence. It further expands TODCO’s 30-year Community Arts Division, now directed by Cheyenne Concepcion, that has sponsored or restored 7 major public murals artworks in SOMA and the Mission (https://www.sfexaminer.com/our_partners/todco-community-art-initiatives-celebrate-the-soul-of-san-francisco/article_f919085e-271f-11ee-a32a-3b284929cf30.html). Enriching the spirit of our SOMA communities with the creative art and spirits of our People is at the core of TODCO’s Neighborhood Building work.
Preventative Health and Wellness Initiatives
Imagine living in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language. Now, imagine having a health emergency while living alone. Paramedics burst through the door to come to your aid, but how will they know you are deathly allergic to multiple medicines? Or what if the EMTs whisk you away to the hospital for treatment, but no one knows about the six medical prescriptions you must take each day? At TODCO, we have significantly reduced the likelihood of such scenarios.
TODCO has partnered with the San Francisco Fire Department to participate in the Vial of Life program. This program enables EMTs and paramedics responding to an emergency call at our residents’ homes to access their current medical information, regardless of language barriers. This was made possible through a massively coordinated intake day, during which twenty San Francisco Fire Department professionals, including off-duty fire personnel, EMTs, and other staff, collaborated with TODCO social work staff to visit TODCO seniors in their homes. With the help of bilingual social workers, fire personnel, and other translators, current health conditions and prescriptions were documented on identifiable Vial of Life sheets and posted on unit refrigerators. This process is updated annually to ensure the information remains current and useful.
In the event of an emergency, professionals can save precious time by using the information posted on the refrigerators to inform treatment at the hospital. This can save time and potentially lives. One of this year’s Vial of Life events was held at Coleman House, where participation was voluntary for all residents. Coleman House is named in loving memory of Eugene Coleman, a veteran, Warriors fan, and beloved San Francisco advocate and civil servant.
The 2024 And 2025 Yerba Buena Senior Balls Carry On The Five Decade History Of Our Yerba Buena Senior Community
Beginning with the 1984 Democratic National Convention at a brand new Moscone Center, we have celebrated our unique South of Market community, all joining together each year
The 2024 TODCO Senior Ball marked a joyous return after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Held on September 4th at the Moscone Center's Esplanade Ballroom, the event embraced a vibrant Polynesian theme, transporting attendees to a tropical paradise. Seniors from various TODCO affordable housing buildings in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood gathered to enjoy a day filled with delicious food, live Polynesian-themed performances, and exciting raffle prizes. The event was a testament to the resilience and community spirit of the Yerba Buena community, celebrating its 45-year legacy of affordable housing and community development, driven by TODCO’s determined stewardship.
Building on its 40 year legacy (https://www.sfexaminer.com/our_partners/an-untold-story-how-it-came-to-be-1000-seniors-celebrate-the-yerba-buena-community/article_3ce88a5a-8b1a-11ef-bbb9-7fd547234b7e.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGPkNdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHbTx8UT9uCgehsBDDKcFyADO0LEQhoGo87owNEZe9-WBWcTyqQbaMIlitw_aem_4ITjRVHQmjRquDHR_FaI4Q) and the success of the previous year, the 2025 TODCO Senior Ball, co-sponsored by the Moscone Center, is set to take place at the same venue, continuing the tradition of bringing joy and celebration to the senior residents. This year's event promises to be just as memorable, with a new theme and an array of entertainment and activities designed to delight the attendees. The TODCO Group remains committed to fostering a sense of community and belonging among our Yerba Buena Neighborhood’s residents, ensuring that the Senior Ball remains a highlight of the year for all involved.
The Story Behind the Availability of the Lifesaving Drug Narcan in our Buildings
TODCO provides housing and a home to 400 residents within one block of Sixth and Mission Street, the epicenter of Mayor Lurie's fight against fentanyl. On some days, the number of drug overdoses on the streets exceeds the amount of Narcan our police officers have on hand in their patrol cars. We know this for a fact.
One day, two alert police officers noticed a person who appeared to have overdosed and was having trouble breathing. Without any Narcan, the officers raced into our building and asked if we had any. By some good fortune, we did. With the quick action of our staff and the police, they were able to resuscitate the victim, restore breathing, and transport the person for additional treatment.
Since that incident, TODCO has ensured the availability of Narcan in each of our buildings and supported the training of staff and interested residents in administering Narcan during emergencies.
To late adopters: For those of you who are housers and might be reading this, it's a good idea to make Narcan available in your buildings. The City and Department of Public Health were immensely helpful in training our staff and supplying Narcan.
PROPOSITION C VICTORIUS IN NOVEMBER 2024!
In 2024 TODCO’s Community/Civic Advocacy Division directly engaged in pivotal City issues put before the voters, helping to Win All 3!
First, in the March 2024 election, TODCO strongly supported the passage of Proposition A, a $300 million affordable City housing bond. This will fund future housing for seniors, low-income families, and, for the first time in San Francisco, allocate a percentage of funding to housing for women who have experienced domestic violence or trafficking. Pro A Won with a 70% Yes vote!
Then next in the November 2024 election TODCO also supported the passage of Proposition G, which established a new City Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund. This fund is dedicated to providing housing for extremely low-income seniors, families, and persons with disabilities. Pro A Won with a 59% Yes vote!
And most of all, TODCO spearheaded the passage of Proposition C (https://drive.google.com/file/d/19WcLiWdJ_JsbH1BOS9wNdnOlL8Twt39m/view?usp=sharing), which establishes an new Inspector General within the Controller’s office that has the powers and authorities needed to investigate and root out City corruption. The Inspector General will be empowered to investigate, and turn over for prosecution, any who misuse taxpayer funds or engage in pay-to-play political favoritism, political intimidation, as well as public integrity violations. Pro A Won with a 61% Yes vote!
“Phew! What a busy year!” — John Elberling, President of the TODCO Group 😉
Follow us online for regular updates…there is much more to come in 2025!