The Windsor
The Windsor, located at 238 Eddy Street at Taylor in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, joined the Department of Public Health’s Direct Access to Housing Program in 1999, and was brought in to the DISH portfolio in 2007. Built in 1909, the Windsor Hotel is a six story, 92 unit Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Hotel, with 49 private bath units, 41 communal bath units and 2 programmatic units.
History
It’s said that during prohibition the Windsor was a regular commercial hotel and home to a speak-easy tucked away in the below-ground basement. Whether these stories are myth or fact, it can’t be denied that there are subtle signs these rumors may be true, with old portraits and paintings crumbling from the basement walls, and interesting brick architecture in that dark and mysterious part of this century-old hotel.
Programming
The Windsor also offers on-site supportive services available to all residents. The Support Services team is staffed by the Dept. of Public Health and includes a Support Services Director, a team of Case Managers and an on-site Nurse. DISH Property Management staff work in conjunction with the Support Services team to help tenants successfully maintain their housing by being a responsible lease-holder and member of the building community.
Together, the Windsor Property Management team and Support Services team put on a variety of community activities each month, announced in a monthly Event Calendar. Some common activities are BINGO, arts & crafts, a monthly birthday celebration and a community meeting.
In addition to activities and events, the Support Services team coordinates weekly free food distribution for tenants through Food Runners as well as an array of outings such as trips to the Civic Center Farmer’s Market, Alcatraz Island and various local museums.
Details & Amenities
The Windsor units vary in size. The average unit is approximately 12′ x 12′. Every unit includes a radiator, at least one large window, blinds, a private sink with medicine cabinet and light fixture, a closet and a ceiling fan with light as built-in fixtures. Other amenities offered to all Windsor residents is an in-house phone line, a twin size bed frame with mattress, a mini-refrigerator, a microwave, a cabinet and night stand.
Each residential floor has two communal commode rooms and one communal shower room available to tenants who do not have private baths, and one trash room for convenient garbage disposal. The Windsor also offers one shared community kitchen, a large Community Room with cable television, and an elevator.
In the past five years the Windsor has undergone a major electrical system upgrade, flooring upgrade and has hosted a number of volunteer painting opportunities to help brighten the common areas and keep this 100 year-old building looking good.