About

MISSION  statement

BiSHoP’s mission is to increase access and defend housing for diverse low income populations.


VISION statement

We envision providing and protecting permanent affordable housing through culturally sensitive services and advocacy  


HISTORY


BiSHoP was created in 2009 by a group of committed community workers and volunteers inspired by Bill Sorro’s work to promote social change. BiSHoP was initially established to provide tenants’ rights workshops to the families of WWII Filipino veterans who were primarily living in the South of Market area of San Francisco. Services further expanded to application assistance and case management as their families sought affordable housing in San Francisco. Many of them were living in alleyways and were experiencing tenants’ rights issues such as habitability, overcrowding and subleasing which motivated them to find affordable housing in the city. Since then the volunteers founded the Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP) to provide tenants' rights counseling and comprehensive service of access to affordable housing so that clients can receive a holistic approach on their housing needs.



WHO IS BILL SORRO?

BiSHoP is named in honor of Bill Sorro, a lifelong activist for human rights. As a fierce housing

advocate, he was active in the struggle for the International Hotel (I-Hotel) which helped spark the housing movement in San Francisco.


Interested in learning more about Bill? Check out the following:

  • The Fall of I-Hotel DVD

  • A Serving of Love: The Passion of Bill Sorro DVD



ADVOCACY THROUGH THE YEARS

  • Transformed pre-application process’ documentation by standardizing housing pre- applications city-wide and pre-applications translated in four different languages.

  • Advocated on Below Market Rate Procedures Manual updates and amendments.

  • Negotiated a 40% inclusionary housing requirement on Giants negotiations with city- officials and other community members.

  • Advocated for tenants’ rights legislations such as Ellis Act reform, Just Cause 2.0, and Language Access Ordinance amendment.

  • Advocated and participated in ballot campaigns: Anti-Speculation Tax (2014), Housing Balance (2014), Inclusionary Housing amendment measure (2016), Loans to Finance Acquisition & Rehabilitation (2016), No to Realtors Giveaways (2016), Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (2018), and Public Bank (2019)