San Francisco assistance programs.

Find help with rent and housing

The federal government is providing San Francisco California funds to help those in need pay for rent and other housing costs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided the city almost $9 million in federal stimulus funds to help pay the rent for those on the verge of eviction. In addition to the funds being used to pay rent, the money is also meant to be used to help get homeless off the streets quickly and into an employment opportunity.

The aid is mostly for short to mid term relief. San Francisco residents who apply to the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing assistance program shouldn’t expect long term free rent though. The housing program is designed to provide short- and medium-term financial assistance , anywhere from 3-18 months, and other aid such as help with utility and security deposits, utility bill payments, hotel and motel costs, and moving assistance.

Applicants to the housing assistance program can receive up to three months of rental assistance or 18 months of partial rent assistance by applying to this federally funded program.

The funds will be managed by local charities, including the Salvation Army and United Way. One of the big benefits is that by keeping families and individuals off the streets, and helping many of these families get through hard times, will goes a long way towards helping an economic recovery occur. Dial (415) 777-2677 to apply.

 

 

 

The Salvation Army Golden State Division - There are several other locations that can offer assistance, including electric bill help, food, housing, and case management. Locations include.

• 1450 Powell Street, (415) 781-7360
• 1156 Valencia Street, phone number (415) 648-0260
• 242 Turk Street, (415) 345-3414
• 360 - 4th Street, (415) 777-2677
• 832 Folsom Street, (415) 553-3568

San Francisco eviction prevention program

• Eviction Defense Collaborative  - If you are facing eviction, this organization may be able to help. It provides free assistance with filing answers, motions and stay-of-evictions to elderly and low to moderate income tenants facing eviction. In addition, they may also be able to provide cash grant payments of past due rent thorough loans and grants. (415) 947-0797
   
• Lutheran Care for the Aging, which can be reached at (415) 441-7777, provides information about programs, resources and services for seniors. The agency can also offer limited emergency financial assistance for paying rent and other housing needs and temporary rental subsidies for qualified seniors and elderly.
   
• Tenderloin Housing Clinic - This nonprofit provides landlord-tenant information, a modified payment program for rent, eviction prevention, job search services, counseling and case management and SRO housing. (415) 771-2427
   
• The local government estimates that there are over 2,000 families in San Francisco who are on the verge of being evicted and losing their homes, or who may already be homeless. The city offers a housing assistance program to assist some of those families with staying off the street, but there is a limit to that help. The program is currently designed to offer short-term assistance. Those families who apply and are accepted into the program are helped with everything from computer training, credit repair, help finding a job, and even counseling. It costs the city about $1.3 million a year to fund the program. San Francisco's homeless director believes extending the time frame and increasing how long help is provided for would benefit the program, so more long term help may soon be available. Contact City Hall ((415) 554-6171) for more information or to apply, or click here for additional rent programs.
   
• A large number of San Francisco area non-profits and charities administer their own rent and housing assistance programs for the low income and homeless. Hundreds are helped daily. Get details on other San Francisco rent assistance programs.

 

 

Medical bills, prescriptions, and health care

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance ((888) 477-2669) will help connect uninsured families and individuals in the San Francisco area with patient assistance programs which may be able to provide these individuals with free or low-cost prescription medications. Learn more Partnership for Prescription Assistance.

The city of San Francisco and surrounding regions are served by a number of community clinics. The centers offer the low income, unemployed, disadvantaged, uninsured and others with a number of free programs. Or if a patient doesn’t qualify for those charity care programs, their medical bill can be greatly reduced by these clinics. The locations are committed to helping anyone in need, and will rarely turn anyone away. Read more clinics in San Francisco, and get their phone numbers and addresses.

Foreclosure prevention and mortgage help

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Francisco - This is a HUD approved counseling agency. Work with a specialist to explore your alternatives to filing a foreclosure. Find about about mortgage assistance and various foreclosure prevention programs. (800) 777-7526. More on mortgage help.

SurePath Financial Solutions (805 383-7700) can also help San Francisco homeowners either prevent a foreclosure, or stop one that is in progress. Learn about mortgage delinquency programs.

San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (phone (415) 822-1022) - This government organization offers foreclosure and housing counseling, credit enhancement, foreclosure intervention, information on mortgage programs, debt reduction, and financial education to help low and moderate income individuals and families achieve financial security through homeownership. They also try to both prevent foreclosure from occurring, and stop those in progress.

Emergency financial assistance agencies and programs

Several different charities and non-profit agencies to turn to for emergency financial assistance for paying rent, utility bills, medical bills, and even an occasional mortgage payment include:

• Call Primrose Center  - This agency can provides cash grants and financial assistance for both utility and rental expenses. Also access emergency food assistance and information and referral services for both federal and California government programs. Phone number (650) 342-2255
   
• St. Anthony Foundation - This agency can be reached at (415) 241-2655. It connects low income, homeless, undocumented, low income and working poor families and individuals to local programs, resources and services that can stabilize and improve the quality of their lives, and help people access financial assistance programs for paying bills.
   
• Salvation Army Golden State Division - This agency provides social services, including rent help, funds for energy bills, food, and other resources. It also offers disaster relief and youth services to the public, and refers people to other local charities and on-profits. (415) 553-3568.
   
• Glide Memorial United Methodist Church Glide Foundation - Offers numerous services and programs. It offers funds for paying rent and preventing evictions, utility bill help, free meals program, a free health clinic,  a jobs and computer training program, and much more. (415) 674-6000.
   
• Catholic Charities - The agency offers short and medium term rental subsidies, funds for paying back rent, credit repair, outreach and engagement, case management, utility bill payments, housing search and placement services, security and utility deposits, and moving cost reimbursement to families. (415) 972-1355.

Economic Opportunity Council Of San Francisco – The non-profit offers and coordinates supportive services, housing, employment, nutrition and health, job finding programs, education, and other areas necessary to alleviate and eliminate poverty. May administer financial assistance programs from the federal government or state of California too, such as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). San Francisco, California, 1426 Fillmore Street, Suite 301. Phone (415) 749-5600

Larkin Street Youth Services – Young adults can apply for short and medium term rental subsidies, back rent, case management, outreach and engagement, housing search and placement services, moving costs, security and utility deposits, and utility bill payments. 1150 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California 94109. Phone (415) 673-0911.

SHANTI – This not for profit provides comprehensive services to individuals living with breast cancer or HIV/AIDS or to enhance their quality of life and health. 730 Polk Street, San Francisco, California 94109 (415) 674-4700.

Water bill assistance and savings - Low income customers can receive discounts, free water conservation measures, and cash assistance to pay their water bills in a crisis. The goal is to prevent the shut off of service. Learn more on available programs.

Help find a job and career resources

San Francisco Career Links One Stop Center - If you are looking for a job or want to improve your career and income, this agency offers a wide variety of free job search, employment resources, and career development programs and services for all San Francisco jobseekers and employers including resume review, vocational assessment, job listings, job skills matching, training options and programs, resume workshops, interview preparation and labor market information. (415) 401-4800.

Free legal assistance and services

Legal Services of Northern California - If you have a civic legal case, this non-profit firm provides free legal services, advice, representation and referrals to low income individuals and families in the San Francisco area. (800) 222-1753

Debt assistance and elimination agencies

In addition to providing mortgage help, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Francisco, which can be reached at (800) 777-7526, can also help people reduce or eliminate credit card, medical, and other debts. Learn about debt management plans, consolidation, budgeting, and other programs. Click here to learn more about credit card help programs.

 

 

Emergency food in San Francisco

United Council of Human Services - Offers low income and the unemployed emergency food bag, general clothing and hosts a weekly food pantry. They also run a shelter clearing house, a drop in center. (415) 643-1700.

Temple United Methodist Church - Partners with local San Francisco food banks to offer aid. (415) 586-1444

San Francisco Food Bank - Maybe the first places to call as they are a central clearinghouse for donated food that redistributes donations through partnerships with churches, nonprofit agencies, local charities and eligible congregations who host a variety of food distribution programs to low income. Phone (415) 282-1900.

Providence Foundation of San Francisco ((415) 206-0263) - This non-profit provides a variety of services and assistance programs for seniors, low income, children, youth, and homeless people throughout the city. Access hot meals, shelter, after school tutoring, senior housing and more.

Find information on other San Francisco food pantries. There are a couple dozen other primary distribution centers and food banks that operate across San Francisco.