San Francisco's Cadillac Hotel Needs You

I recently saw this news segment that San Francisco's Cadillac Hotel was hit with an unexpected $300,000 bill to repair its electrical system.

The non-profit, single-residence occupancy (SRO) hotel must raise $300,000 by December 31, 2015–or face closure and eviction by the city of San Francisco.

Cadillac Hotel, built in 1907, a year after San Francisco's great quake.

The Cadillac Hotel –
                          – houses 158 low-income residents, who otherwise would likely not be able to afford to live in San Francisco.
                          – leases space (formerly its grand ballroom) to a federal Head Start program administered by San Francisco State University.
                          – is where the offices of Doan M. Khong, MD are located. The doctor provides medical care to the Tenderloin's Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants.
                          – is where the non-profit Clean City and Bay Area Women's & Children's Center  are located.
                          – is the home of the Tenderloin Museum, which highlights the amazing and often wild history of one of San Francisco's most colorful neighborhoods.


Everyone faces eviction if the Cadillac Hotel cannot raise $300,000 by December 31, 2015.
The Cadillac Hotel is owned by Reality House West, a non-profit 501(c)3. Its EIN is 94-1722478. Your contributions are 100% tax deductible. I encourage you to mail your check today to


Reality House West/Cadillac Hotel
380 Eddy Street
San Francisco, CA 94124


When musician Rebecca Roudman heard of the Cadillac Hotel's plight, she jumped into action with a Crowdrise benefit concert, featuring several musicians to help raise money for the Cadillac Hotel.



The concert did raise money, but much more is needed.

The Cadillac Hotel is Historic San Francisco Landmark No. 176.

For many years, its grand ballroom was leased by Newman’s Gym, a legendary training facility for boxers. Muhammed Ali and Mayor Willie Brown are said to have worked out there. Below is a photograph of Miles Davis at the gym.

Miles Davis against the ropes at Newman's Gym in the Cadillac Hotel.

The day after I saw the news segment, I met with the Cadillac Hotel's executive director, Kathy Looper, who somehow found time to give me a tour of the hotel and the non-profits it houses.

Executive Director Kathy Looper and I in the Tenderloin Museum.

Please visit the Cadillac Hotel's site to learn more about this non-profit in one of San Francisco's poorest neighborhoods. You can donate online at its Crowdrise page or mail your tax-deductible contributions directly to


Reality House West/Cadillac Hotel
380 Eddy Street
San Francisco, CA 94124