TNDC was the brainchild of a group of Tenderloin urban pioneers who founded it in 1981 as the first step in providing affordable housing for low-income people.

Because the Tenderloin was zoned commercial and had a height limit of 30 stories in 1981 it was feared that thousands of low-income people living in the Tenderloin would be displaced by large commercial development projects. Since the Tenderloin had the lowest rents in the city, these people would have had no place to go. The Tenderloin community successfully petitioned the city to rezone the area to residential and lower the height limit to eight stories.

"This zoning change saved 176 buildings in the Tenderloin," says Franciscan Bro. Kelly Cullen, O.F.M. "And, 18,000 homes were saved, primarily hotel rooms and small studios. But, it was only a paper change. It was decided that property needed to be bought, rehabilitated and preserved as affordable housing forever. So, the Franciscans and the community began working for that goal."

Fr. Louis Vitale, O.F.M., pastor of St. Boniface Church, recalls those early days. "We worked with the community and put together some resources to begin with the purchase of the Aarti Hotel (391 Leavenworth St.). Even though there were only single occupancy rooms in the hotel, it was decided to design each floor with a common area. A kitchen, a place for people to eat, gather, chat, and feel part of a community."

"We have continued and built on this principle of developing community in all TNDC buildings," Cullen says. "We provide more than just housing. With safe, affordable housing and the power of community, TNDC offers a foothold into the future." (Although the Franciscans were important in the birth of TNDC, in 1981 the organization was established as a 501 (c) 3 non profit with no ties to the Catholic Church.)

Community continues to be TNDC's hallmark today. Visit a TNDC building and you will see that people, staff and tenants, know each other. They care about each other. They help each other. It's not like a typical apartment building where neighbors generally don't know about each other's lives. And TNDC has done its part in supporting the growth of community among its tenants. Today, TNDC has an after school program, staff employment counselors and staff social workers.

By remaining faithful to its founding principle of community building TNDC is much more than a landlord. It is a good neighbor in the best sense of the word.