Update on the U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

San Francisco will have two rental assistance programs

The Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development is currently finalizing a multi-lingual online application and guidelines for a community-based program that will target assistance to the most vulnerable tenants. The City is planning to launch this program in May. 

The State of California is operating a separate rental-assistance program. To learn more about the State's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, visit HousingIsKey.com.

You can also call the State's CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center at 833-430-2122 for assistance and to check eligibility. 

Each program will have its own set of guidelines. San Francisco tenants and landlords will not be able to receive the same assistance from both programs. 

Get Help

If you do not receive assistance from a U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program, there are other rental assistance programs available to help you pay 25% of your September 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 rent to make sure you are not evicted. 

Catholic Charities of San Francisco – call 415-972-1301 or click here 
Compass Family Services (families with children only) – call 415-644-0504 or email info@compass-sf.org 
Eviction Defense Collaborative – call 415-470-5211 or email edcradco@evictiondefense.org                  
Hamilton Families (families with children only) – call 415-321-2612 or email contact-us@hamiltonfamilies.org 

The City is actively working to identify and secure additional funds for COVID-19 emergency rental assistance. Funding is limited and assistance is not guaranteed for all who apply.

What If I cannot pay my rent because of COVID-19?

If your landlord serves you a 15-day notice to pay rent, you should sign and return the attached declaration within that 15-day period. 

• Before June 30, 2021, do your best to pay two and a half month’s rent for (or 25% of) September 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, and make sure to put it in writing that your payments are for these months. 
  • For example, if your monthly rent is $2,000, then two and a half month’s rent equals $5,000.
• If you do so, you may not be evicted for nonpayment for these months. 
  • You already may not be evicted for nonpayment for March 1 – August 31, 2020, if you sign and return the declaration for every notice you receive.
• For more information, click here.

Related Information

Eviction help
Get help if you might be evicted. Resolve housing disputes and avoid getting displaced.

About the eviction moratorium due to the coronavirus outbreak
You cannot be evicted during the coronavirus emergency. You can get more time to pay your rent. These and other protections do not include rent cancellation.

Get help to pay for housing or other emergencies
Apply for the Season of Sharing fund to get short-term help.