Part of San Francisco Emergency Rental Assistance Program (SF ERAP)

Rent relief resources

Connect with a community-based organization for SF ERAP application support, tenant-landlord counseling, and eviction prevention legal services.

As of February 28, 2023, SF ERAP is accepting new applications. Please note that program rules have changed to target financial assistance to households most at risk of housing loss or homelessness.

If you have experienced a recent financial hardship and need one-time help with back rent or need help with a security deposit, visit the SF ERAP online application to see if you are eligible to apply. Financial assistance is available only to households most at risk of housing loss or homelessness. Funding is limited and SF ERAP will not be able to serve every household who meets minimum eligibility criteria.

Learn more about SF ERAP’s by visiting the program webpage. Review the SF ERAP Program Rules or Frequently Asked Questions.

If you need help negotiating a payment plan with your landlord, you or your landlord may contact the Bar Association of San Francisco’s CIS Program at (415) 782-8940 or cis@sfbar.org.

If you receive eviction documents, immediately seek legal help from the Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC) at (415) 659-9184 or legal@evictiondefense.org, or visit EDC at 972 Mission St., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday, 10-11:30 am and 1-2:30 pm.

If you need advice about your specific situation, contact the Rent Board, a mediator, a tenant counselor, or another resource listed under our community partners page. All these services are available at no cost.

Get help with a pending eviction

If you are a tenant who has received eviction court papers, call, email, or visit Eviction Defense Collaborative IMMEDIATELY for free legal help.

Get help with your pending SF ERAP application

If you have questions about your SF ERAP application, you may contact the SF ERAP Helpline at (415) 653-5744 or help@sferap.org. For help applying, contact a community partner listed below.

  • Asian, Inc.
    1167 Mission St., 4th Floor
    (415) 928-5910
    Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, and English
  • Chinatown SRO Collaborative or SRO Families United Collaborative
    (415) 984-2730
    Languages: English, Chinese
  • Eviction Defense Collaborative (EDC)
    976 Mission St.
    Open on: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm for help with both legal papers of eviction and help applying for rental assistance
    (415) 470-5211
    Languages: Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese, Arabic, have use of Language Line
  • Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco 
    Mission District Office: (415) 703-8644
    Languages: Mission Office: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish
    Richmond District Office: (415) 947-9085
    Languages: Richmond Office: Cantonese, Mandarin, English, Russian
  • Mission SRO Collaborative 
    (415) 282-6209 ext. 150
    Languages: English, Spanish
  • Openhouse
    Bob Ross LGBT Senior Center
    65 Laguna St.
    (415) 296-8995
    Languages: English, Spanish

Get help from a tenant counselor

If you've received an eviction notice or need help with other tenant-landlord matters, please contact a counseling organization.

  • Counseling at the San Francisco Rent Board (available to tenants and landlords)
    (415) 252-4600
    Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm and 1pm – 4pm 
  • Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco 
    Mission Office: (415) 703-8644
    Languages (Mission Office): English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish
    Richmond Office at (415) 947-9085 
    Languages (Richmond Office): Cantonese, Mandarin, English, Russian 

Get housing counseling for residential hotel (SRO) tenants

  • Mission SRO Collaborative 
    (415) 282-6209 ext. 150
    Languages: English, Spanish
     
  • SRO Families United Collaborative
    (415) 329-3809
    Languages: Filipino, Chinese, English

Get help finding a roommate

Get small claims legal help

If you have received small claims court papers for COVID-19 rental debt, speak with an attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid's Rent Debt Legal Clinic.

  • Bay Area Legal Aid 
    (415) 982-1300
    Call to make an appointment
    Held every fourth Friday

Get help if you're a landlord

Last updated June 21, 2023

Related

COVID-19 emergency tenant protections

If you can pay your rent, you should do so. However, if you cannot pay and your landlord tries to evict you, these protections may safeguard you against eviction.

Department

Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development