It’s with great sadness to report the passing of Thomas Francis, former Executive Director of Syracuse Model Neighborhood Corporation, a Southside based housing agency. SMNC have renovated and brought many homes back to life as rental housing, thanks to efforts led by Tom. Many houses that may have been torn down due to lack of funding are providing affordable housing. The Sankofa District is anchored by SMNC properties. They’ve reestablished storefronts and constructed new housing along the S. Salina Street corridor. These efforts would not be possible without the tireless dedication of past efforts of Tom Francis and his staff.
Syracuse Model Neighborhood Corporation worked to save homes, one by one in an effort to maintain the city of Syracuse’s housing stock. Countless individuals were assisted through the efforts of Tom Francis, and his work saved several historic gateway properties. One of the restored structures is slated to house a new café for the Sankofu Business District.
At one time there were many agencies attempting to provide housing opportunities for Syracuse residents. SMNC went into a distressed area along State Street, Martin Luther King Blvd, South Salina Street and beyond and saved a neighborhood from blight and certain destruction.
This house, my house was sitting there, in an alley. The street of overgrown with weeds and shrubs, two of four homes on the block were unoccupied. The house had a new roof, a decision that was made to avoid demolition. It was a gamble, as moving into any challenged neighborhood is. The house required work that could be phased in over time. So, I bought it. Today, it sits on a block that consists primarily of homeowners. The house is 110 years old, dating back to the days when the Erie Canal and railroads ran practically in front of the property.
Therefore, the picture accompanying this story is a 111 year old house that was saved from the bulldozer. The picture of a saved dwelling is the best tribute to give to an affordable housing advocate; Tom Francis is someone who spent a considerable amount of time working to save houses, making them affordable. His actions at SMNC made a considerable contribution to the city of Syracuse, he will be missed but his work lives on in every retained occupied home you see standing. Thank You, Tom.
