Tenants would gain a potential pathway into permanently affordable housing — to weather the COVID-19 pandemic — under a bill making its way through the state Legislature. Assembly Bill 1703 would require most owners looking to sell residential rental property to give the property’s tenants, as well as designated groups like nonprofits, the opportunity to […]
Category: Economy & Business
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Economy & Business, Government & Politics
S.F. Scrambles to Support Businesses Threatened by Pandemic
Certain businesses that had been forced to close under San Francisco’s coronavirus shelter-in-place order had been expecting to re-open on Monday. But last week, seeing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, city officials postponed that date. Joaquín Torres, director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, gave an overview of local programs meant to support struggling businesses and workers and how many have received aid.
Posted inEconomy & Business, Housing, Law & Justice
Real Estate Groups Sue S.F. Over Eviction Ban
Real estate groups Monday sued the City and County of San Francisco to overturn an eviction ban designed to help renters weather the COVID-19 pandemic. The plaintiffs argue that the city ordinance “violates constitutional and state law” empowering landlords to evict, and conflicts with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Executive Orders, which have allowed local governments to […]
Posted inCity Hall, Coronavirus, Economy & Business
Health Director: S.F. Must Be Vigilant, Flexible as City Reopens
As San Francisco improves its ability to mitigate the spread and treat the effects of the novel coronavirus, the city is also grappling with the fallout of its economic shutdown. Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the city’s Department of Public Health, said at a virtual press conference on Tuesday that the city has rapidly expanded […]
Posted inEconomy & Business, Social Justice
Community Efforts Raise Nearly $1 Million for Black-Owned Oakland Businesses
As damage from looting and property destruction added to the financial pain of black-owned businesses already hurting from the coronavirus shutdown, Oakland nonprofits, business leaders and community members swung into action, collectively raising almost $1 million to help those businesses recover. Two of the biggest fundraisers were launched by black women – one a business owner and one a community member acting on her own initiative – who together raised almost $400,000.
Posted inCoronavirus, Economy & Business, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Law & Justice
Businesses to Drop Lawsuit Against S.F. Over City-Sanctioned Homeless Camp
After backlash from neighbors, activists and others, several Haight-Ashbury businesses plan to drop a federal lawsuit against San Francisco for its placement of an approved homeless encampment at Haight and Stanyan streets. The plaintiffs plan to withdraw the suit Monday or Tuesday, Joe Goldmark, the partner-manager of record vendor Amoeba Music’s Haight-Ashbury location, said by […]
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Economy & Business, Housing, Labor, Renters at Risk
Renters Face Growing Debt Burden
The coronavirus pandemic has cost millions their jobs, and that means many tenants haven’t been able to pay rent, landlords have had trouble making mortgage payments and other bills are also stacking up. Debts can be sold to collections agencies, and even keep renters from accessing affordable housing.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Economy & Business, Health
San Francisco to Allow Curbside Retail Sales, Warehouses to Reopen on Monday
Mayor London Breed announced Wednesday that up to 95% of retail businesses should be able to reopen for limited curbside service starting on Monday, May 18. Many warehouses and factories should also be able to resume operations.
Posted inEconomy & Business
S.F. Businesses to Reopen if COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate Does Not Rise
Some nonessential businesses might be able to resume limited operations starting May 18.
Posted inEconomy & Business, Housing, Labor
Rental Relief Programs See Requests Surge From Newly Jobless
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Nonprofits that serve people who need emergency help with their rent are seeing requests surge from a new class of clients — those who were previously financially secure but have lost their jobs due to COVID-19. But red tape is complicating their efforts to help the newly jobless, the groups say.