Employing Tenants in Development and Building Operations Presented by Community Housing Partnership San Francisco, California

Panelists Elizabeth Hewson –Director of Employment and Training Brett Vaughn –Director of Property Management David Schnur –Director of Housing Development Isabella Marshall –Building Manager

Community Housing Partnership Agency Overview Formed in 1990 to address an Alternative to the Homeless Crisis in San Francisco CHP formed by two community based groups –Council of Community Housing Organizations –Coalition on Homelessness Purpose –To integrate permanent, affordable housing with support services, training and employment opportunities offering tenants a range of resources to achieve stability and independence.

Community Housing Partnership Agency Mission It is the goal of CHP to provide an environment that fosters independence with a special emphasis on employment, to help break the cycle of homelessness.

Employment & Training Department Emphasis of the Organizational Mission. Partnership with Property Management and Tenant Services. Employment and Training are keys to increasing self-sufficiency and ending the cycle of homelessness.

Why Hire Tenants? Organizational Mission Investment in the Community Meet Hiring Requirements of Project –HUD Section 3 –Local Program Requirements (SF – Section 3+)

Strategies for Employing Tenants in the Rehabilitation/Construction of Affordable Housing Community-based Agency City First Source Hiring Administration CDC MOU with the Contractor Tenant Work Crew

Universal Guidelines Consider Hiring Expectations when Selecting the General Contractor Signed Written Agreement in Place Clear Hiring Goals and Methods of Tracking Adequate Pre-Employment Preparation of Tenants Participant Supports in Place

Tenant Volunteer Crew Preparation of Hiring Plan for Work Crew Structure of Work Crew Goals & Outcomes

Property Management Department Commitment to Organizational Mission –Largest department employing formerly homeless persons and tenants. Participation in Employment & Training Programs Partnership with Tenant Services and Employment and Training

Pre-Employment Preparation and Training How do you get tenants interested and prepared to work? What kinds of training opportunities are the most effective? What if my organization doesn’t have the resources to train tenants?

Hiring Practices and Policies What considerations should be made to existing and/or new hiring practices and policies? What types of accommodations should be made to ensure success?

Staff Retention: Policies and Practices to Support Staff and Promote Success What kinds of support do you provide to tenant employees? How do you help tenant employees maintain appropriate boundaries between personal and professional lives? How do you handle confidentiality with tenant employees?

Staff Development and Advancement What kind of practices can be developed to encourage tenant employee advancement? What additional training programs can encourage tenant employees to advance? Should any recognition be given to tenant employees? Recognition of Success Stories.

Question & Answer