San Francisco has struggled to build enough units, but it can invest in a variety of solutions to spur affordable housing production in the coming years. Several will be on the ballot this November.
Author Archives: Madison Alvarado
Madison Alvarado is a reporter based in San Francisco who is interested in California's housing crisis, environmental justice and structural inequities. In addition to her reporting on public housing and rent relief at the Public Press, she has covered issues related to the coronavirus pandemic, housing and city government for San Francisco news site Mission Local.
Posted inAging, HIV & AIDS, Housing, LGBTQ+, Social Services
Older Adults with HIV Face Barriers to Staying Housed. That Could Hurt Efforts to Slow HIV’s Spread.
San Francisco’s population of people with HIV is living past age 50 — and even longer — for the first time. As this population ages, more investment is needed to help them remain stably housed.
Posted inCity Hall, Community, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Housing, Politics
Supervisors and Public Encourage City to Fund Long-Term Housing
More than 70 people crowded into the Board of Supervisors’ chamber at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday afternoon, with many asking the city to spend more money on long-term housing for low-income residents.
Posted inAging, City Hall, Community, Government & Politics
Budget Axe Aimed at Senior and Disability Services
Community-based organizations, older adults and people with disabilities across San Francisco are sounding alarms about the Department of Disability and Aging Services’ latest budget proposal, which includes millions of dollars in cuts. They called on the city to restore funding.
Posted inCity Hall, Community, Housing
Entre Chiches y Moho: Pese al Miedo, Residentes Latinos de Viviendas de una Habitación Exigen Mejores Condiciones
En una fresca mañana de enero, un grupo de residentes latinos—una con nueve meses de embarazo y otros acompañados de sus hijos—caminaron juntos tres cuadras desde el Hotel Chase, un edificio de ocupación de habitación individual en Market Street, hasta el Departamento de Inspección de Edificios de San Francisco para testificar sobre las condiciones cada […]
Posted inCity Hall, Community, Housing
Bed Bug Bites and Mold: Despite Fears, Latino SRO Residents Demand Better Housing Conditions
On a brisk January morning, a group of Latino residents — one nine-months pregnant, others accompanied by their children — walked together three blocks from the Chase Hotel, a single-room occupancy building on Market Street, to San Francisco’s Department of Building Inspection to testify about deteriorating conditions where they live. Over four years, people had reported […]
Posted inAging, Community, Government & Politics, Health, Homelessness, Housing
Veterans Stay Healthy Longer in Housing With Extra Supports. But the Money Could Dry Up.
As California’s population grows older, more people need help aging in place. This is especially true of veterans, a demographic with higher-than-average rates of homelessness. Over two years ago, Swords to Plowshares launched a pilot program offering enhanced services and staffing in subsidized housing to help veterans stay healthy and housed. Early results are promising, but future funding remains uncertain as the Trump admin moves away from long-term housing solutions.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Homelessness, Housing
HUD Scrambles Homelessness Funding Twice in One Month, Throwing Local Service Providers Into Uncertainty
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has abruptly rescinded a plan to overhaul how it funds local programs serving the homeless, leaving cities unsure how or when billions of federal homelessness dollars will be disbursed.
Posted inHomelessness, Social Services
As Trump Disrupts Homelessness Funding, Providers Hope City Can Prop Up Housing Programs
Nonprofit service providers and San Francisco officials are seeking funding approaches to blunt federal shifts that they worry could force many formerly homeless residents of subsidized supportive housing back onto the streets.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Health, Homelessness, Politics
Trump Homelessness Order Threatens to Overrun SF Hospitals, Jails
A presidential executive order issued in July focused on homelessness could put increased pressure on San Francisco’s hospitals and jails, which are already over capacity.