MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
WAYNE ALAN BORVICE
Many years ago, in American History, a family had the ability to own land as part of its legacy. This was often referred to as "40 acres and a mule." Whenever the American family found itself disenfranchised, it could always move west. The U.S. government would provide a homestead that was free and clear, the only condition being that the family settle upon and develop the parcel of land.
Today, one cannot pick up a newspaper or a report of some sort or enter into economic development discussion without mentioning the crisis in affordable housing.
When HDNPC began 45 years ago with the goal to develop and preserve housing for low-income people, and in particular San Francisco's low-income Latino community, the crisis in housing was perceived as a lack of affordable shelter for the poor. Homeownership, however, was still an attainable goal for the middle-income family. The price of a single-family home in San Francisco in 1979 was approximately $80,000.
That same home is now $1,000,000 - or much more. In just ten short years, HDNPC has found that our housing development efforts are confronting not only the plight of poor ​people but of the overwhelming majority of Americans of almost every economic class struggling to pay rent or buy a house as first time homeowners.
There are many theories on why we are facing this affordability crisis at this time in our history. The reasons, the theories, the finger-pointing are many. But the real issues and goals of our society today lie in the basic premise that we as a people must own land. And here in the twenty-first century, owning a home is owning our piece of the land of this country.
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Indeed, the vitality of the housing market is an indication of the health of our nation. Affordability of basic shelter allows disposable income for other goods and services. Thus, the survival of our economy, competitiveness and democracy depends on our ability to have both good housing as well as spendable income.
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HDNPC will continue to provide well-built and affordable housing for low income families using a myriad of resources - as we have been doing for the past 45 years. Even more, we will expand our efforts to make housing a reality for first-time homeowners as well, thus attempting tp ease the serious crunch in our rental market.
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Attorney Al Borvice's pride in the neighborhood is reflected in his work for the people who live there.
Susan Elder via The City's Monthly San Francisco Magazine 1984
Former executive director of La Raza Graphics Center, founded in 1971 by Al Borvice, Pete Gallegos and Oscar Melara, Linda established herself as a visionary and guided artists to produce mounds of posters and silkscreens that spoke truth to power for Chicanos and Latinos.
Flores Y Mas! Linda Lucero Day In San Francisco Article by Jesse ‘Chuy’ Varela
El Tecolote News July 28, 2023
Al Borvice is a Hispanic neighborhood activist.
James Molinari via Mayor's Office of Housing,
File No. A-84-014 February 1983
About
A Leader in Housing Development
Mr. Al Borvice is the founder and executive director of HDNPC. As coordinator of all development projects for the past 40 years, he has made an immense impact on the production of affordable housing for the City of San Francisco. Each of HDNPC's projects - Casa de la Raza, Woodward Apartments, Casa Valencia and the Carmelita Apartments - was developed by Mr. Borvice.
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In 1983 under former Mayor Dianne Feinstein, Mr. Borvice initiated the Mayor's Affordable Housing Task Force, which allocated $10 million for the first time from the general fund to assist low income housing projects citywide. Under Mayor Art Agnos' administration, Mr. Borvice was appointed to the Mayor's Housing Advisory Committee, which formulated a comprehensive affordable housing plan for the City and County of San Francisco.
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Many have acknowledged Mr. Borvice's commitment in community affairs with awards, including the Unsung Hero Award Presented in 1983 at the San Francisco Urban Fair by KRON-TV's hose Who Care and a Certificate of Honor by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1989.
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For nearly 7 decades, Mr. Borvice has been involved in community affairs. He first became involved with the community in the early 1960s with the Young Christians Workers who volunteered their services to neighborhood concerns in the South and North of Market areas in San Francisco. He co-founded and coordinated the La Raza Information Center in 1970. La Raza Silkscreen Center in 1971, La Raza Lawyers Referral Service in 1976. He is also a founding member of La Raza Lawyer's Association of San Francisco. In 1979, he founded HDNPC.
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In 1974, he first became active in land use issues with the successful rezoning initiatives in the Mission District led by the Mission Planning Council and and La Raza Cento Legal. The rezoning protected small businesses and housing which were at risk with the completion of the BART system. This early period of neighborhood struggle was the impetus for Mr. Borvice's commitment and involvement in today's community development issues. He is now recognized as a force in housing and urban development in the San Francisco Bay Area region.
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Additionally. Mr. Borvice graduated with a bachelor of arts in history from the university of California, Berkeley. In 1975, he received a Juris Doctorate from Boalt School of Law and is a member of the California State Bar.
