Flanked by Mayor Daniel Lurie, Senator Scott Wiener, and Supervisor Connie Chan, Donald Baker cut the ribbon at the grand opening of TNDC’s newest affordable housing community. Located at 383 6th Ave, the project is the first 100% affordable housing development in the Inner Richmond. It’s dedicated to seniors and Veterans. After eight months of living in a shelter, Donald became one of the first residents to move into 383 6th Ave.
I wound up here as a placement for housing, and so far, it’s been beautiful—awesome. I couldn’t ask for a better place, a better blessing. I’m happy with where I am and with where I’m going. Doors are opening for me.
“My patience paid off,” he said. “I wound up here as a placement for housing, and so far, it’s been beautiful—awesome. I couldn’t ask for a better place, a better blessing. I’m happy with where I am and with where I’m going. Doors are opening for me.” Donald loves the building and the neighborhood. “It’s in a beautiful area. Anything you need is within blocks, and the transportation is very convenient. The building’s brand new. There’s nothing I can complain about.” The 38 Geary bus runs right in front, an important convenience for Veterans in the building who need to access to the VA.
At the shelter there was no way to relax. I was around people who were desperate and in need. Here it’s different. I’m around people who are trying to get themselves together, and that makes a big difference. I feel safe within myself, so I can relax and take the barriers down.
Donald’s new home has had an enormous positive impact on his psyche. “At the shelter there was no way to relax. I was around people who were desperate and in need. Here it’s different. I’m around people who are trying to get themselves together, and that makes a big difference. I feel safe within myself, so I can relax and take the barriers down.”
With stable housing, he can think ahead. “Now that I’m not struggling to cover my overhead, I can find a job that fits my spare time, keep healthy, eat healthy, and I’ll be okay.”
Donald with District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan on the left and former District 1 Supervisor Sandy Fewer on the right. Fewer was instrumental in getting the 383 6th Ave project off the ground.
