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Committee recommends extending fire-victim rental subsidies after public testimony from displaced tenants
Summary
The committee recommended an ordinance to let qualifying fire victims receive Fire Victims Assistance Fund payments for up to four years (instead of two) if they earn 70% of area median income or less and have applied for an affordable housing preference; public speakers urged a longer application window and better communication for displaced tenants.
The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee on June 5 voted to send an ordinance to the full Board that would amend the administrative code to allow tenants displaced by fires to receive payments from the Fire Victims Assistance Fund for up to four years instead of two, for households earning 70 percent or less of area median income who have applied for a city affordable-housing preference.
Chair Hillary Ronan described a series of Mission District fires that displaced dozens of low-income residents and said the change would give a "small but important" cushion to families still unable to return to their homes. The ordinance would broaden HSA’s discretion to provide extended rental subsidies for eligible households.
Public comment included several displaced tenants and community groups. Gabriel Medina of Meta (housing advocacy) said longer reconstruction timelines in San Francisco make the extension a practical necessity and urged staff to reconsider a 30-day application window after a fire because many victims lose phones and records. "Reconstruction takes longer than two years," Medina said, and "some families would not be able to get subsidy" if they cannot meet a 30-day deadline to apply. A displaced tenant, Stephanie Wilson, described ongoing shelter stays and asked that the committee extend help.
Peter Papadopoulos of the Mission Economic Development Agency and other speakers urged flexibility on logistical timelines while supporting the policy change. Committee discussion clarified that the Fire Victims Assistance Fund is a limited pool — "about $300,000 a year," staff said — and HSA currently uses the fund at its discretion to stabilize displaced families.
After public comment, Supervisor Sheehy moved and the committee forwarded the ordinance with a positive recommendation to the Board of Supervisors; the clerk recorded no objections. The committee also moved a liquor-license transfer (708 Polk Street, Hotel Epic) forward with a positive recommendation after staff said a prior paperwork complaint to DBI had been resolved.
Next steps: both items will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors. Committee members asked staff to review the administrative details (including the 30-day application provision) and improve communications with displaced tenants.
