Rent collections by San Francisco’s public housing agency fell precipitously in late 2019 and have continued to decline to less than half of what is owed, according to a San Francisco Public Press analysis — but the agency can’t explain why.
Category: Housing
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Bay Area, Coronavirus, Housing
California Eviction Moratorium to Expire; Advocates Urge Renters, Cities to Act
Landlords may proceed with evictions against tenants for unpaid rent beginning Oct. 1 as a statewide moratorium on such evictions expires. Tenant, legal and public health advocates are urging tenants to apply for rent relief money, and want municipalities to approve additional protections, citing loss of housing as a public health concern.
Posted inEconomy & Business, Environment, Health, Housing, Land use
State Report Links Redlining and Pollution Threats
San Francisco neighborhoods the federal government targeted with racist lending practices face the greatest health threats from pollution, a recent state study found. The California Environmental Protection Agency analyzed the latest pollution data in historically redlined neighborhoods, where people of color were denied mortgage loans under federal policies, in the report finalized in August.
Posted inCoronavirus, Health, Homelessness, Housing
As COVID Cases Surge Among SF’s Homeless, Shelter Options Narrow
As cases of COVID-19 surge in San Francisco, advocates question whether the city can prevent another outbreak in the homeless community. Between June 30 and July 31, confirmed cases among homeless people quadrupled from 18 to 78. But as the delta variant of the coronavirus sweeps across the city, there is a growing shortage of safe places for homeless people to go.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Housing, Social Services
How SF Will Allocate $1 Billion in Homelessness Funding
Emily Cohen, interim director for strategy and external affairs at the department, talked with “Civic” about where these investments are being focused — more than half of the funds are earmarked for housing — and why. A count of people visibly unsheltered on the street that takes place on one night every two years tallied about 8,000 people in 2019. Cohen said city programs have helped some 25,000 people exit homelessness since 2005.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Community, Government & Politics, Housing, Social Justice
In Remembering Traumatic Eviction, Community Seeks Inspiration
The International Hotel on the corner of Jackson and Kearny in San Francisco is the second of its name. The original was a residential hotel, with small rooms affordable to low-income workers. On Aug. 4, 1977, more than 100 residents were evicted all at once, despite thousands of protesters outside.
Posted inCoronavirus, Economy & Business, Housing, Law & Justice
In SF, Send a Text, Learn How to Avoid Eviction
San Francisco residents can now learn how to avoid eviction by sending a text message to a special phone number.
That service is part of an outreach campaign launched Friday by the San Francisco Anti-Displacement Coalition, a group of tenant-rights organizations. The goal: to teach people their rights and help them apply for rent assistance during the two months left before a statewide moratorium on evictions for unpaid rents expires.
Posted inCalifornia, Housing
SF Lawmakers Urge Governor to Extend Eviction Moratorium Again
The statewide eviction moratorium is set to expire Oct. 1, but San Francisco supervisors are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to extend it to avoid a wave of COVID-19 infections from the virus’ more contagious delta variant.
Posted inCoronavirus, Economy & Business, Housing, Law & Justice
Evictions Jump as Sheriff Lifts Pause Imposed in December
The San Francisco Sheriff’s Office evicted 25 households in the two weeks of June after the state reopened for business, more than double the monthly average over the previous six months.
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto resumed evictions that had been on pause as city officials declared that San Francisco was gaining the upper hand in its fight against the coronavirus.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Bay Area, Homelessness, Housing
Advocates Sue Mountain View, Calling its RV Parking Ban ‘Inhumane’
A group of civil rights organizations filed suit against the city of Mountain View over an ordinance that restricts oversize vehicle parking on most city streets, describing it as unconstitutional and inhumane.