Opening Reception of “Living in Chinatown” exhibit

We are unveiling a new exhibit called “Living in Chinatown: SRO,” a life-size version of the Frank Wong SRO miniature on September 6, Saturday. At the opening reception we would like to turn the spotlight on the current affordable housing debate in San Francisco. Limited resources, rising cost of rent, threat of displacement are just some of the daily struggles of low income residents across the city. But Chinatown is unique in that it serves many roles: as the most iconic tourist attraction in the world, an immigration hub, and a low income community for the city’s Chinese residents. Who exactly make up the residents of the neighborhood? How do the residents adapt to rent increases? Is Chinatown threatened by gentrification?

Join us on September 6th for discussion with Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC). CCDC is at the forefront of community advocacy, planning, and affordable housing development in the City of San Francisco. They are a place-based community development organization serving primarily the Chinatown neighborhood, and also serve other areas including North Beach, Tenderloin, the Northern Waterfront, the Western Addition, Japantown, Polk Gulch, the Richmond, Civic Center and the South of Market area.

Also in attendance are representatives from Chinese Progressive Association (CPA). Founded in 1972, the Chinese Progressive Association educates, organizes and empowers the low income and working class immigrant Chinese community in San Francisco to build collective power with other oppressed communities to demand better living and working conditions and justice for all people.

Lastly, Supervisor David Chiu will be stopping by. Supervisor Chiu represents District 3, serving neighborhoods in North Beach, Chinatown, Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill, Polk Street, Nob Hill, Union Square, Financial District, Barbary Coast and Fisherman’s Wharf. In January 2009, David was elected President of the Board of Supervisors.