The San Francisco Housing Authority presented its operating budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024 during a recent government meeting, highlighting a total budget of $43 million aimed at enhancing housing stability for over 15,000 households in need. Chief Financial Officer Mamo Dunying and Senior Budget Analyst Roy Doble outlined the budget's focus on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which has seen significant growth due to recent conversions from public housing.

The budget is designed to improve organizational accountability and the quality of life for marginalized families relying on the authority for stable housing. Nearly half of the 15,000 vouchers are tenant-based, while the other half are project-based, reflecting a strategic shift in the authority's housing approach.

Doble emphasized that approximately 80% of the budget's revenue comes from the HCV and Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) programs, a notable increase from 67% in the previous fiscal year. The HCV program alone is projected to generate around $24 million, driven by factors such as higher lease rates and an increase in leased units.

The EHV program is also set to expand, with plans to increase the number of housed residents from 650 to nearly 890 in the upcoming year. This growth is expected to enhance the authority's capacity to provide emergency housing solutions, addressing urgent community needs.

In addition to housing initiatives, the budget allocates funds for administrative expenses, including tenant services and inspections, ensuring that the authority can effectively manage its programs and support residents in their housing journeys.

As the meeting concluded, officials acknowledged the importance of these budgetary decisions in fostering a more stable and supportive housing environment for San Francisco's vulnerable populations. The authority plans to continue monitoring its financial health and explore options to address long-term pension liabilities, ensuring sustainable operations in the years to come.