While the first half of 2009 was an admittedly a difficult time for the Mission SRO Collaborative (MSROC); staff shortages and restructuring of positions, fighting for the restoration of our budget, and re organizing of key parts of operations, the second half of 2009 brought with it a  refreshing and affirmed sense of place in our community, a strong and dedicated work team, and potential to become  an even greater program than we have ever been. Below are some highlights of our work in 2009.

Goals

Fire and Disaster Preparedness Workshops: During 2009 MSROC conducted 27 Disaster and Fire Prevention Workshops and reached an estimated 150 tenants through these workshops. The Mission SRO Collaborative is also proud to have started conducting Disaster Workshops this year that are based on a low- income SRO tenant friendly curriculum developed through a partnership with the Red Cross and whose creation was facilitated entirely by MSROC. Our efforts in seeking to make this curriculum a reality were recognized and honored this year by The Red Cross Bay Area at their annual Community Partners award ceremony in July of 2009.

Habitability:  

• Evictions: During 2009 The Mission SRO Collaborative successfully prevented or has cases pending for nearly 37 tenants who are facing or are no longer facing eviction.

• Habitability: During 2009 The Mission SRO Collaborative extended services related to the improvement of habitability conditions, and towards safe and dignified housing to 72 individuals.

• Bed Bugs: Bed Bugs continue to be a top priority for the Mission SRO Collaborative and in 2009 MSROC sought to aggressively address this issue, we purchased and have distributed bed bug resistant mattress covers, provided laundry services to, and extended a variety of bed bug related services related to the abatement of bed bugs to at least 40 individuals and families living in SRO's, and reached over 50 people through educational workshops on the matter.

• Permanent Housing Placements: Through Case Management Services provided through Collaborative subcontractor The Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, MSROC was able to place 7 individuals in more permanent housing, that is to say stable subsidized housing.

• Leadership Development: In 2009 MSROC furthered the development of the leadership skills of the 12 participants in MSROC's Research and Outreach for Change Program (ROC) and MSROC's Peer Outreach Program (POP). 2008/2009 cycle POP participants graduated their program in December and as of January 11th a new group has started. Our Leadership Programs continue to be the driving force behind the Collaborative and we are proud to be in our 3rd cycle of Peer Outreach Program (POP) participants.

• Community Events: Community Programs are an essential element of the work MSROC conducts and in 2009 MSROC participated in or facilitated a number of events geared towards engaging tenants in everything from, civic engagement to exerting their rights towards safe and dignified housing. Below are highlights of some of the events held this year.

o   1/6 Bielensen Hearings to address Mid Year Budget Reductions

o   1/13 Hosted POOR Magazines Civic Life Project through the Mission SRO Collaborative and at The Mission Neighborhood Resource Center.

o   2/17 Participated in a Uniform Visitor Policy Hearing at the Rent Board

o   March and April- Hosted Senior Action Networks, "Senior Survival School"

o   5/1 Coordinated and Hosted an International Workers Day Lunch/ Discussion for all DSCS programs and joined in the citywide march to mark the occasion

o   May and June - Actively Participated in the Coalition to Save Public Health and successfully advocated for the restoration of the SRO Collaborative Budgets

o   08/14 Began conducting Tenants Rights Trainings for our MSROC partners MNRC at their various leadership groups

o   09/29 and 11/24 Held 2 well attended and successful Bed Bug Educational Events with The Department of Public Health.

o   October - Participated in and Conducted Outreach for Various DOHO meetings and events. 

o   11/03 Realized a successful ending to our SRO Families Subsidy Campaign.

o   November- Began a press relationship with Local Media Outlet, The Mission Local

o    11/17 Participated in the Open Palms Awards

o   December: Held a VERY successful Toy Drive for the annual SRO Families Holiday Party, Hosted Supervisor Chris Daly at a Community Meet and Greet held at DSCS, Hosted a well attended Holiday Party for the SRO tenant community, POP Graduation.

Accomplishments of 2009:

• Surveyed over 160 Tenants in 2 different hotels to identify top issues in Mission District SRO's

• Fought for and realized tenant friendly changes to the Uniform Visitor Policy

• Increased our base of participating community members as is evident through increased community participation in MSROC events, increased interest in MSROC programs, and increased interest in our services.

• Restructured our Community Advocate Position into an Outreach Coordinator Position and Hired a new Outreach Coordinator, improving our capacity to conduct outreach activities and manage the Peer Outreach Program (POP).

• Added Women's Community Clinic (WCC) as a Subcontractor and Program Partner, thereby extending our capacity to serve hard to reach at-risk women living in SRO's in our neighborhood.

• Successfully met all our Tobacco Free Project Goals, and through funding from this contractor and our Community Organizer, realized the launch of a new system at the city's 311 project that will address a variety of tenant concerns as they relate to issues of habitability. Held a very successful press conference to announce the completion of this program. Additionally worked with supervisor David Campos to draft legislation requiring postings informing Tenants of the program be posted in all SRO's throughout the city.

• Signed an MOU with the DOPE project to partner in bringing Drug Overdose Prevention Education to residents of SRO's in our neighborhood.

• Successfully advocated for the restoration of our budget!!!!!

• Held successful community engagement events with Supervisors Chris Daly and David Campos. Brought them to the Grand Southern Hotel (Campos) and the Neil Hotel (Daly) to visit with residents and increase the BOS's awareness of issues SRO tenants are facing in our neighborhood.

• Successfully prevented the eviction or gained substantial settlements for the families and single adults living at the Julian Hotel.