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Acting executive director warns EHV funding will end; authority seeks HUD waiver and monitors shortfall
Summary
Acting Executive Director Daniel Adams told the commission that Emergency Housing Voucher funding is scheduled to end next calendar year, leaving more than 900 households at risk; staff are requesting a HUD waiver to prioritize those households for project-based voucher placements and have pending shortfall relief requests.
Acting Executive Director Daniel Adams updated the Housing Authority commission on Nov. 17 about several federal funding and operational risks facing San Francisco public housing programs and the authority’s contingency planning. Adams said the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program funding that had been expected to run through 2030 will end at the close of next calendar year, and staff estimate more than 900 households currently hold EHV assistance.
Adams said the authority has requested a waiver from HUD to prioritize EHV holders for project-based voucher (PBV) placements as vacancies occur to preserve housing for those households when EHV funding ends. "We have requested a waiver of HUD to allow us that prioritization. We have yet to hear back," Adams said. Staff emphasized that approval is needed to move EHV households into PBV units as vacancies arise.
Adams also described a current shortfall in the authority’s operating budget partly attributable to HUD sweeping reserves earlier in the year to address national shortfalls; staff have pending requests with HUD’s shortfall team either for direct funding or permission to use reserves now with subsequent reimbursement. Adams said staff are tracking budget levels closely and are coordinating contingency planning with the city and the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development.
The acting director said the authority is exploring administrative integration where appropriate—IT support and some legal services—from the city while retaining the housing authority’s separate legal status, and that the controller’s office has begun a review of the project-based voucher program. Commissioners and public commenters pressed staff on tenant communication plans in case federal rules change, asking when and how tenants would be informed. Adams said some notice has been provided to EHV households and staff are working with the city on active contingency planning, trying to balance timely notice with avoiding undue alarm.
During public comment, residents described safety issues at specific properties and requested direct interventions such as transfer vouchers (from PBV to tenant-based vouchers). Staff acknowledged the incident reports offered and said they would follow up. The authority said it will return with updates as HUD responses and further budget information become available.
