ESSENTIAL DUTIES

1. Screens all visitors to confirm that they are the authorized guests of building residents.
2. Ensures visitors are escorted by tenants at all times.
3. Responds to emergencies as needed.
4. Maintains complete and accurate confidential Building Log.
5. Fills out incident reports as necessary.
6. Reports violations of the House Rules and Regulations and rules of conduct outlined in the Rental Agreement.
7. Takes part in all online and in person trainings that are required for job function. This includes job specific trainings and company wide training.
8. Oversees front entry and lobby to ensure cleanliness and security. Performs minor janitorial duties as needed.
9. Provide administrative support for Assistant Manager by opening and time stamping mail and invoices, preparing check requests, preparing recertification packets and filing.
10. Answer phones and operates intercom system as needed and depending on building.
11. Provide information to tenants, visitors, and applicants concerning Housing.
12. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Knowledge and skills:
• Ability to work tactfully and under stress.
• Ability to achieve competency in Microsoft Office Suite specifically Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English.
• Ability to follow directions and work independently.
• Willingness to be on-call, with access to a phone.
• Good judgment and common sense, ability to successfully resolve conflicts.
• Honesty and dependability.
• Ability to work with, and to be sensitive to a diverse multi-cultural low-income population.
• Ability to resolve conflict in a professional manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to exercise discretion concerning residents’ issues.

Physical Requirements:
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands and fingers in performing duties which include typing, writing, reading and similar tasks.
• Ability to exert physical effort involving moving around buildings, climbing stairs, moving from one area to another or standing/sitting for periods of time.
• Visual acuity necessary to inspect buildings and review documents.
• Hearing acuity sufficient to use telephone and communicate with residents and staff.

Environmental Adaptability:
• Ability to work in an office environment and in and outside a variety of residential buildings as needed.

Mathematical Ability:
• Ability to do basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as needed per job duties.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability:
• Ability to use independent judgment in non routine situations, such as dealing with a disturbance.

Language and Communication Ability:
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, staff at all levels and residents, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand changes in policy, methods, operations, etc. as they apply to the desk clerk position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working in an affordable housing environment.

SALARY: DOE. Benefits available for full time position.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit resume and cover letter to Human Resources, 215 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. E-mail to jobs@tndc.org Fax to 415-771-0813. Please reference full time or part time preference and “Desk Clerk – KCC” in subject line.

ABOUT TNDC: Founded in 1981, the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) houses 3,000 San Franciscans — primarily people who earn $5,000 to $25,000 a year. Serving the Tenderloin and central-city neighborhoods, TNDC also provides support services, including social workers, employment and training assistance, and the Tenderloin After-School Program, a drop-in center for neighborhood children. TNDC has 31 buildings—with a major new development under construction—with more than 2,300 apartments and hotel rooms and a staff of 250.

TNDC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Screen visitors to ensure they are authorized guests of building residents
2. Ensure visitors are escorted by tenants at all times
3. Maintain complete and accurate confidential Building Log
4. Answer phones, operate switchboard and intercom system where applicable and sort mail
5. Enforce House Rules and Regulations and rules of conduct outlined in the Rental Agreement
6. Respond to emergencies as needed and complete incident reports as necessary
7. Oversee front entry and lobby for security and perform minor janitorial duties as needed
8. Participate in training to include Fair Housing Law, Facilities Emergency Plan, Emergency Response, Evacuation Procedures, and Violence De-Escalation & Conflict Resolution
9. Provide information to tenants, visitors and applicants concerning house regulations

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Ability to work with and sensitivity to a diverse, multi-cultural low-income population
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to exercise discretion concerning residents’ issues
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English
• Ability to work tactfully and under stress
• Ability to follow directions and work independently
• Willingness to be on-call and have 24-hour access to a phone
• Ability to successfully resolve conflicts
• Possess good judgment, common sense, honesty and reliability

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Other language capacity is an asset

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, etc)

SALARY: DOE

APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit resume and cover letter to Human Resources, 215 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. E-mail to jobs@tndc.org Fax to 415-771-0813. Please reference “Desk Clerk – Curran” in subject line.

About TNDC
Founded in 1981, the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) houses 3,000 San Franciscans — primarily people who earn $5,000 to $25,000 a year. Serving the Tenderloin and central-city neighborhoods, TNDC also provides support services, including social workers, employment and training assistance, and the Tenderloin After-School Program, a drop-in center for neighborhood children. TNDC has 31 buildings—with a major new development under construction—with more than 2,300 apartments and hotel rooms and a staff of 250.

TNDC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assertively and regularly outreach to all assigned tenants.
2. Identify tenants in need of services and maintain awareness of tenant’s overall health status; including but not limited to specific medical, mental health, and substance use needs.
3. Complete comprehensive Intakes and Assessments with assigned tenants.
4. In partnership with each assigned tenant, establish an Individualized Service Plan that outlines tenant driven goals.
5. Actively follow-up with all Individualized Service Plans to assist tenants to achieve their self-identified goals.
6. Provide assigned tenants with case-management and supportive counseling services.
7. Provide housing stabilization, retention and eviction prevention services.
8. Provide tenants with information and referrals to off-site service providers in the community.
9. Actively follow-up with all referrals to ensure tenants are linked to referral service providers.
10. Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution.
11. Provide up to 30-days of after-care to assigned tenants who move-out.
12. Organize and facilitate community-building activities including but not limited to; produce drops, cultural celebrations, large and small group social events, holiday celebrations, skill building workshops, and informational workshops.
13. Serve as liaison/advocate for tenants with Property Management and off-site service providers.
14. Attend all weekly meetings with assigned Property Management staff.
15. Provide permitted follow-up information to Property Management staff as needed.
16. Attend all regularly scheduled meetings.
17. Attend all on-site Property Management facilitated Tenant Meetings.
18. Develop new resources and relationships with outside service providers.
19. Attend monthly off-site community meetings as assigned.
20. Comply with all protective services reporting procedures.
21. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and files on all tenants receiving services.
22. Compile monthly statistics and enter all service information into a database regularly.
23. Carry and respond promptly to cell phone calls daily and provide 24-hour, on-call support to buildings for one week at a time, on a rotating basis.
24. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS
 Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues of homelessness.
 Ability to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.
 Computer proficiency: Microsoft Word.
 Excellent crisis intervention skills.
 Initiative and creativity.
 Excellent organizational and time management skills.
 Demonstrated capacity to work with a culturally diverse, low income population.
 Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality.
 Attention to detail.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field.
• Bi-lingual: Spanish/English
• Two years of experience providing direct services to very low-income populations in urban settings.
• Two years of experience providing direct services to individuals with substance use and mental health issues and/or individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Two years of experience linking individuals to agencies to meet their medical, mental health and other service needs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience working within a Harm Reduction Model.
• Experience working in a Permanent Supportive Housing setting.
• Experience providing housing stabilization, housing retention, and eviction prevention services.

SALARY:
Competitive salary depending on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Apply Here

About TNDC:
Founded in 1981, the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) houses 3,000 San Franciscans — primarily people who earn $5,000 to $25,000 a year. Serving the Tenderloin and central-city neighborhoods, TNDC also provides support services, including social workers, employment and training assistance, and the Tenderloin After-School Program, a drop-in center for neighborhood children. TNDC has 31 buildings—with a major new development under construction—with more than 2,300 apartments and hotel rooms and a staff of 250. TNDC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live.

RESPONSIBILITIES include:
1. Maintain the general cleanliness of the building interior and exterior and adheres to the cleaning schedule for all the properties assigned.
2. Sweep and mop floors; clean and vacuum hallways, common areas, sidewalks and individual units as necessary.
3. Maintain trash removal systems including rotation of garbage receptacles and recycling.
4. Attend required TNDC meetings.
6. Follow TNDC safety policies and procedures at all times.
7. Respond to emergencies by pager per on-call schedule and respond to the General Manager’s requests.
8. Wet dust and clean windows.
9. “Bag & Tag” former resident belongings in vacant units.
10. Identify and report problems to the site manager involving maintenance, health, safety or security of the property.
11. Follow a schedule of preventative maintenance and perform additional maintenance duties as needed.
12. Notify the General Manager of any needed supplies or equipment.
13. Assist building maintenance staff with light maintenance projects.
14. Patch and paints walls as assigned.
15. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS
• Ability, willingness, and sensitivity to work with diverse, low-income population.
• Sound judgment and good assessment skills.
• Maturity, honesty, dependability, initiative and follow-through.
• Ability and willingness to follow directions.
• Ability and willingness to respond tactfully under pressure: cope under stress.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Ability to lift 75 pounds.
• Knowledge of custodial practices and procedures including sanitation and universal precautions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 1 year of janitorial experience.
• Other language capacity is an asset.

SALARY Starting at $12.51 per hour. DOE

APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit resume and cover letter to Human Resources, 215 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 or E-mail to jobs@tndc.org. Fax to 415-771-0813. Reference “Custodian – part time” in subject line.

About TNDC: Founded in 1981, the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) houses 3,000 San Franciscans — primarily people who earn $5,000 to $25,000 a year. Serving the Tenderloin and central-city neighborhoods, TNDC also provides support services, including social workers, employment and training assistance, and the Tenderloin After-School Program, a drop-in center for neighborhood children. TNDC has 31 buildings—with a major new development under construction—with more than 2,300 apartments and hotel rooms and a staff of 250. TNDC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDES:
1. Screen all visitors to confirm that they are the authorized guests of building residents
2. Ensure visitors are escorted by tenants at all times
3. Respond to emergencies as needed
4. Maintain complete and accurate confidential Building Log; fill out incident reports as necessary
5. Enforce the House Rules and Regulations and rules of conduct outlined in the Rental Agreement
6. Oversee front entry and lobby to ensure cleanliness and security; perform minor janitorial duties as necessary
7. Answer phones and operate switchboard and intercom system if necessary
8. Sort mail
9. Provide information to tenants, visitors and applicants concerning house regulations
10. Provide administrative support and other duties as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS:
• Ability to work tactfully and under stress
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English
• Ability to follow directions and work independently
• Willingness to be on-call, and 24-hour access to a phone
• Good judgment and common sense; ability to successfully resolve conflicts
• Honesty and dependability
• Ability to work with and sensitivity to a diverse, multi-cultural low-income population
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to exercise discretion concerning residents’ issues

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• High School Diploma or GED
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Other language capacity is an asset

SALARY: DOE plus excellent benefits.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit resume and cover letter to Human Resources, 215 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. E-mail to jobs@tndc.org Fax to 415-771-0813. Please reference “Desk Clerk – Aarti” in subject line and indicate if you are interested in a full time or part time position.

ABOUT TNDC: Founded in 1981, TNDC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live. We own and operate 30 affordable housing buildings serving 3,000 tenants in the Tenderloin and adjacent neighborhoods… and with 11 projects in our housing development pipeline, we will make over 1,250 affordable units available for homeless and extremely low-income San Franciscans in the next few years. In addition, TNDC provides on-site supportive services and resources such as social workers and after-school programs to help residents stabilize their lives and develop a sense of community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Assertively and regularly outreach to all assigned tenants.
2. Identify tenants in need of services and maintain awareness of tenant’s overall health status; including but not limited to specific medical, mental health and substance use needs.
3. Complete comprehensive Intakes and Assessments with assigned tenants.
4. In partnership with each assigned tenant, establish an Individualized Service Plan that outlines tenant driven goals.
5. Actively follow-up with all Individualized Service Plans to assist tenants to achieve their self-identified goals.
6. Provide assigned tenants with case-management and supportive counseling services.
7. Provide housing stabilization, retention and eviction prevention services.
8. Provide tenants with information and referrals to off-site service providers in the community.
9. Actively follow-up with all referrals to ensure tenants are linked to referral service providers.
10. Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution.
11. Provide up to 30-days of after-care to assigned tenants who move-out.
12. Organize and facilitate community-building activities including but not limited to; produce drops, cultural celebrations, large and small group social events, holiday celebrations, skill building workshops, and informational workshops.
13. Serve as liaison/advocate for tenants with Property Management and off-site service providers.
14. Attend all weekly meetings with assigned Property Management staff.
15. Provide permitted follow-up information to Property Management staff as needed.
16. Attend all regularly scheduled meetings.
17. Attend all on-site Property Management facilitated Tenant Meetings.
18. Develop new resources and relationships with outside service providers.
19. Attend monthly off-site community meetings as assigned.
20. Comply with all protective services reporting procedures.
21. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and files on all tenants receiving services.
22. Compile monthly statistics and enter all service information into a database regularly.
23. Carry and respond promptly to cell phone calls daily and provide 24-hour, on-call support to buildings for one week at a time, on a rotating basis.
24. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS
 Knowledge of and sensitivity to issues of homelessness.
 Ability to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously.
 Computer proficiency: Microsoft Word.
 Excellent crisis intervention skills.
 Initiative and creativity.
 Excellent organizational and time management skills.
 Demonstrated capacity to work with a culturally diverse, low income population.
 Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality.
 Attention to detail.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bi-lingual: Russian/English
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field.
• Two years of experience providing direct services to very low-income populations in urban settings.
• Two years of experience providing direct services to individuals with substance use and mental health issues and/or individuals with co-occurring disorders.
• Two years of experience linking individuals to agencies to meet their medical, mental health and other service needs.
• Two years of experience providing services to seniors.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience working within a Harm Reduction Model.
• Experience working in a Permanent Supportive Housing setting.
• Experience providing housing stabilization, housing retention, and eviction prevention services.

SALARY:
Competitive salary depending on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Submit resume and cover letter to Human Resources, 215 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. E-mail to jobs@tndc.org. Fax to 415-771-0813. Please reference Social Worker II – O’Farrell Towers in subject line.

About TNDC:
Founded in 1981, TNDC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live. TNDC now owns and manages 30 buildings that provide homes for 3,000 extremely low-income seniors, families, people with disabilities, low-income wage earners, immigrants and others in the Tenderloin and nearby neighborhoods. In addition, TNDC provides on-site supportive services and resources such as social workers and after-school programs to help residents stabilize their lives and develop a sense of community.

Under the supervision of the Director of Housing Development, the Project Manager or Senior Project Manager performs a wide variety of tasks related to planning and developing affordable housing for Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC). The Project Manager or Senior Project Manager coordinates and implements all activities relating to project development from feasibility analysis through completion of construction. This is a full time exempt position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Evaluate potential development sites and perform feasibility analyses related to property acquisitions.
2. Procure financing from conventional and public sources, including preparing financing applications.
3. Coordinate, document and facilitate escrow closings.
4. Solicit and coordinate the work of professional consultants. Negotiate contracts.
5. Obtain project approvals from planning and building departments and other regulatory agencies.
6. Prepare financial proformas and monitor development and construction budgets.
7. Prepare, update and adhere to project schedules.
8. Review and implement tenant relocation plans.
9. Coordinate bid and qualifications processes to select architects and general contractors and subcontractors. Negotiate contracts and monitor contract compliance.
10. Oversee project design development and preparation of project plans and specifications.
11. Manage the construction process, including meeting lender and governmental requirements and processing of pay application and loan disbursement requests.
12. Work with Property Management, Tenant Services, Asset Management and tenants in the design and development of projects.
13. Conduct due diligence tasks to safeguard the organization’s investments and corporate integrity.
14. Perform outreach duties and public relations work as needed, including attending community meetings.
15. Supervises Housing Development staff as assigned (Senior Project Manager level).
16. Meet with and report to the Director of Housing Development on a regular basis to discuss issues associated with the development process.
17. Undertake tasks as may be assigned by the Director of Housing Development.

REQUIRED SKILLS
1. Strong financial proforma skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
2. High degree of independence, initiative, responsibility, and accountability.
3. Experience with private and public debt financing for affordable housing.
4. Exposure to design issues and construction materials and methods.
5. Well-developed oral, written and public speaking skills.
6. Ability to work within project teams and supervise work of consultants.
7. Capacity to manage 2 or more projects independently.

PREFERRED SKILLS
1. Experience with acquisition/rehabilitation and portfolio rehabilitation.
2. Experience with market rate housing debt and equity financing.
3. Experience with joint venture developments, including with nonprofit, market-rate, and non-housing partners.
4. Experience or interest in supervision and mentorship.
5. Experience with all phases of the development process, preferably with at least one project taken from concept through completion.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Project Manager: A bachelor’s degree and 2 years experience in affordable housing development project management; OR a master’s degree in urban planning, business, economics, law, public policy or a related field and 1 year of experience in affordable housing or community development.

Senior Project Manager: A bachelor’s degree and 5 years experience in affordable housing development project management; OR a master’s degree in urban planning, business, economics, law, public policy or a related field and 4 years of experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Project Manager: Master’s degree in fields listed above and 3 years experience in affordable housing development project management.

Senior Project Manager: Master’s degree in fields listed above and 6 years experience in affordable housing development project management.

SALARY
To be determined; based on experience
Comprehensive benefits package

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit your resume and cover letter here

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Open until filled.

ABOUT TNDC
Founded in 1981, TNDC is a non-profit, affordable housing development organization that serves the Tenderloin and surrounding neighborhoods in San Francisco.

WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. EOE

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
1. Directly hires, supervises and fires maintenance and custodial staff including preparation of employee evaluations and recommendations for discipline or promotions
2. Responds to daily work orders and unit turnover maintenance requests including
A. Plumbing; replace faucets, snake drains (sink and tubs), install toilet valves
B. Carpentry; hang windows and doors, repair hinges, repair/replace door and window locks
C. Electrical; low voltage electrical repairs, door buzzer repairs
3. Paint and patch walls, and sheetrock repairs
4. Responds to building emergencies on after hour’s on-call rotation schedule
5. Reports unusual occurrences or suspicious activities to supervisor
6. Keeps supervisor informed of maintenance problems
7. Provides effective and courteous service to residents, guests and coworkers
8. Conducts work tasks safely in compliance with safety rules
9. Inspects units during monthly pest control. Notes the condition of the unit
10. Performs and maintains records of all building and fire and life safety, operational equipment preventive maintenance/scheduled building preventative maintenance

REQUIRED SKILLS
• Ability, willingness and sensitivity to work with a diverse, low-income population
• Maturity, honesty, dependability, initiative and follow-through
• Ability to read and communicate in English sufficiently to follow directions and communicate with supervisor, coworkers and residents
• Ability and willingness to work tactfully under pressure; cope with stress
• Problem-solving ability

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Six months consecutive experience in residential housing maintenance
• One year experience in the building trades plumbing, electrical, carpentry or appliance repair
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work on a team
• Ability to obtain High-rise Fire Safety Certificate within 12 months
• Capacity to work with a culturally diverse, low-income population
• Ability to work independently and to follow instructions with little supervision
• Ability to operate hand and power tools
• Ability to lift 75 pounds and climb ladders

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Excellent plumbing, electrical carpentry and painting skills. Knowledge of Cal/OSHA safety requirements
• Certified high rise and lead paint abatement specialist
• Valid California driver’s license
• Second language ability

SALARY DOE plus benefits

APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit resume and cover letter to Human Resources, 215 Taylor Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. E-mail to jobs@tndc.org or fax to 415-771-0813. Reference “Maintenance III – Mosaica” in subject line.

About TNDC
Founded in 1981, TNDC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live. We own and operate 30 affordable housing buildings serving 3,000 tenants in the Tenderloin and adjacent neighborhoods… and with 11 projects in our housing development pipeline, we will make over 1,250 affordable units available for homeless and extremely low-income San Franciscans in the next few years. In addition, TNDC provides on-site supportive services and resources such as social workers and after-school programs to help residents stabilize their lives and develop a sense of community.
Visit www.tndc.org

APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit resume and cover letter to Human Resources, 201 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. E-mail to jobs@tndc.org Fax to 415-771-0813. Reference “Senior General Manager – Antonia Manor” in subject line.

About TNDC
Founded in 1981, TNDC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with support services for low-income people in the Tenderloin community and be a leader in making the neighborhood a better place to live. TNDC now owns and manages 30 buildings that provide homes for extremely low-income seniors, families, people with disabilities, low-income wage earners, immigrants and others in the Tenderloin and nearby neighborhoods. In addition, TNDC provides on-site supportive services and resources such as social workers and after-school programs to help residents stabilize their lives and develop a sense of community.

In December 2012, TNDC volunteers and tenants completed the new vertical garden at the Tenderloin People’s Garden at the corner of Larkin and McAllister streets. The expansion will allow TNDC to produce 1,000 more pounds of food each year on the same size lot. The expansion project would not have been possible without the volunteer efforts of Geoffrey Barton, who led this community effort and donated more than 600 hours of his time planning, organizing, and facilitating the installation of the new garden wall.

As a regular volunteer in the garden, Geoffrey often heard TNDC Garden Coordinator Nella talk about how they did not have enough space. When he heard the same concern at TNDC’s Food Justice Committee meeting, Geoffrey thought he could help. He had seen pictures of vertical garden systems and knew the concept existed, but he was not sure how they were built or if they could be designed to grow edible plants. Despite the unknowns, the big blank south-facing wall of the Power House building on the site of the garden was a perfect location for a vertical garden, and Geoffrey knew this was a perfect opportunity to try and build one.

At the same time that Geoffrey was pondering interesting ways to help TNDC expand its garden footprint, a colleague sent him the call for submissions for Legacy Grant proposals for US Green Building Council’s 2012 GREENBUILD Conference. With a solid idea, and a potential way to pay for the project, Geoffrey contacted Lorenzo Listana, one of TNDC’s Community Organizers, with the idea of applying for a grant to build the vertical garden. Lorenzo and Nella were excited about the possibility.

Lorenzo Listana was impressed with Geoffrey’s dedication, “Geoffrey demonstrated his commitment to this project by reaching out to the garden volunteers during the design process and contributed his time and talent to make this project a success. ”

With guidance from TNDC’s management and Fund Development team, Geoffrey was given the go-ahead to apply for the grant and assemble a community team of collaborators on TNDC’s behalf.

The process to build the vertical garden began with community meetings and the grant application. Geoffrey organized two community meetings, with help from TNDC staff, to share ideas with residents, business owners in the area, and interested horticulturalists and designers. More than 20 people showed up at each of the two meetings. Geoffrey worked to create buy-in and even cultivate new relationships for TNDC at those meetings. With the ideas and feedback he got from the meetings, Geoffrey began working on the project’s schematic drawings. With Geoffrey’s help, TNDC was awarded several grants for the project.

Fueled by the community’s enthusiasm (and the funding), the five-month planning process resulted in plans for a large (18 foot tall) vertical garden that covered the entire wall. As Geoffrey navigated the budgeting and permitting process, he realized the project would need to be scaled back. With a scaled back design and costs that were within budget, construction began in late October.

Working side-by-side with TNDC residents, staff and community volunteers, the project proceeded. When asked what motivated him to take on this project, Geoffrey says:

“I like doing architecture from my desktop but always feel like it limits my creativity. Getting hands on, working out in the community, and figuring out ways to put my design training to beneficial use in the real world are far more rewarding to me than simply drawing plans for a building that gets built. When I started, I had no idea this project would consume so much of my free time, but I was motivated by working directly with the community. The best part was being able to work with (and pay!) residents right before Christmas. They really appreciated the ability to earn a paycheck, and I learned a great deal about the Tenderloin community from them.”

The Tenderloin People’s Garden is just one of TNDC’s food security projects. If you are interested in learning more about the work TNDC is doing to bring healthy, fresh, and sustainable food options to the people of the Tenderloin, contact Ryan Thayer at (415) 358-3962 or rthayer@tndc.org about how you can get involved.

TNDC WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK:
TNDC Residents: Alfredo Dejamco, Michael Smith, Tommy Soriano; Construction Volunteers: Joe Giddings, Carla Frenkel, Blake Rainville; Contractor: Fineline Construction (they set posts and reduced their standard fee as a donation); Irrigation Experts: SF Landscapes; and Tool & Supplies Donation: Tripp Gobble, Wooly Pockets

FUNDING FOR THE VERTICLE GARDEN WAS PROVIDED BY:
•The Christensen Fund
•North of Market-Tenderloin Community Benefit District (CBD)
•U.S. Green Building Council Chapter – Northern CA
•Awesome Foundation