Housing Support

Access to affordable housing is one of the greatest unmet needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.  When people have safe, affordable housing they’re far more likely to take their medications, maintain proper nutrition and be emotionally sound.  In fact, HIV positive people who have stable housing are four times more likely to obtain medical care than those without housing. 

San Francisco AIDS Foundation partners with the San Francisco Department of Public Health to offer transitional housing assistance to almost 400 people living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco who meet the city’s program eligibility requirements.  Many of our clients have been provisionally housed for significant periods.  Without assistance, they would be unable to afford their rental units and would be in grave danger of becoming homeless.

Clients in our rental subsidy program often also receive other foundation services such as financial benefits counseling, as well as referrals to supportive services throughout the city.  The goal: linking those with great need to a network of care and stability.

Below are questions most often asked by clients and those seeking housing assistance in San Francisco.  For more information about our rental subsidy program, call (415) 487-8000.

I am moving to San Francisco. What is the housing situation like for people with HIV/AIDS?

Unfortunately, the housing situation is difficult and expensive. The centralized city-operated housing wait list for people with HIV/AIDS has been closed for some time due to the great demand for housing and scarce resources. Rent in San Francisco is high compared to other metropolitan areas or even within the San Francisco Bay Area.  To get a general idea of current rental prices, you can check websites like Craigslist. Many of our clients either live with roommates, in single-room occupancy hotels or smalls studios.

How do I find out where I am on the Housing Wait List (previously known as CHIPS)?

The list was closed in 2001, which is now managed by the Department of Public Health, Housing Urban Health. If you became HIV+ after 2001, you will not be in the HIV Housing Waiting List. If you became positive prior to 2001 and you lost contact with San Francisco’s service providers, there is a possibility that your name is still in the list. If you want to know your status in the list, please call (415) 554-2690. HUH staff will be able to assist you.

How else can I obtain housing assistance if I am not on the housing wait list?

Here are local housing resources that may be able to help.

Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation:  www.TNDC.org

Mayor’s Office of Housing:  www.sf-moh.org

Housing Rights Committee:  www.hrcsf.org

AIDS Housing Alliance:  www.aidshousingalliancesf.org/

San Francisco Housing Authority:  www.sfha.org

TODCO Group:  www.todco.org

Catholic Charities (CYO):  www.community.cccyo.org/Page.aspx?pid=386

Eviction Defense Collaborative:  www.evictiondefense.org

You are always welcome to stop by SFAF to view housing opportunities posted on the bulletin board in our reception area.

How can I get a subsidy from San Francisco AIDS Foundation?

Currently, there is no centralized system for wait lists at Single Room Occupancy Hotels (SROs) or other low-income housing units. Our lobby located at One Sixth Street (and Market Street) has some housing opportunities posted on the bulletin board or ask our reception staff for listing regarding housing opportunities in San Francisco. You can always call us at (415) 487-8000 and we will provide you with information and referrals or call housing providers listed below for HIV or low income housing.

• Catholic Charities   
1340 Golden Gate Ave  
(415) 749-3800 
www.cccyo.org

• Glide Foundation   
330 Ellis St.   
(415) 674-6032 
www.glide.org

• Shelter Plus Care Program
1440 Harrison St.
(415) 558-1980

• Tenderloin Housing Clinic
126 Hyde St.
(415) 771-2427
www.thclinic.org

• San Francisco Housing Authority
1815 Egbert Avenue
(415).715.3280
http://www.sfha.org/home.html

• Tenderloin Neighborhood Development
201 Eddy St.
(415) 776-2151
http://www.tndc.org/

How can I get a subsidy from San Francisco AIDS Foundation?

There are two referral channels for rental subsidy programs:

1. The first referrals channel is through the HIV Housing Wait List, which is managed by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Housing Urban Health (DPH-HUH). If you were not enrolled in the Waiting List prior to 2001, this option is not available to you.

2. The second referral channel is through the Centers of Excellence.  There are seven Centers of Excellence in San Francisco and you need to be enrolled and actively participating in medical services in order to access the financial assistance through the foundation rental subsidy programs. Call your Center of Excellence’s case manager and ask about the foundation’s Shallow Rental Subsidy Program and the referral process.

• Chronic Care HIV/AIDS Multidisciplinary Program (CCHAMP)
San Francisco General Hospital – Positive Health Project (Ward 86)
995 Potrero Avenue
(415) 206-2400
http://php.ucsf.edu/care_ward86.shtml

• Forensic AIDS Project Center of Excellence
Forensic AIDS Project
798 Brannan St. 2nd Floor
(415) 863-8237
http://sfhiv.org/services_detail.php?id=24

• Mission Center of Excellence
Mission Neighborhood Health Center – Clinica Esperanza
       240 Shotwell Street
       Phone: (415) 552-1013
http://www.mnhc.org/ClinicaServices.shtml

• Native American Center of Excellence
Native American Health Center
160 Capp St.
(415) 621-8056
www.nativehealth.org

• Southeast Partnership for Health
2800 3rd St.
(415) 615-9125
COE@southeast4health.org

• Tenderloin Area Center of Excellence
Tenderloin Health
187 Golden Gate Ave.
(415) 437-2900
www.tlhealth.org

• Women’s Center of Excellence
Women’s HIV Program
400 Parnassus Avenue, 4th Floor
Room A-429, Box 0378
415.353.2119
http://www.whp.ucsf.edu/

• This list may change after March 2011.

San Francisco AIDS Foundation does not own buildings to provide housing. Prospective subsidy participants are responsible in finding their own unit with the assistance of their assigned case manager. Once the unit is found,  housing inspector conducts an inspection to check federal safety and sanitary standards. Once the unit passes the inspection, San Francisco AIDS Foundation activates the subsidy and the subsidy checks are mailed directly to the landlord or property manager by the first of every month. 

San Francisco AIDS Foundation is a third-party player and assumes no responsibility with the lease or the unit. The lease or rental agreement is a contract between the landlord/property manager and the tenant. As long as the subsidy participant stays in the program, case managers will provide social support, advocacy or information and referrals.

What is Section 8 housing? Is it available in San Francisco?

Section 8 is a federal program that helps to bridge the gap between the cost of housing and the incomes of low wage earners and people on limited fixed incomes through site or portable rental assistance vouchers. In San Francisco, the program is managed by the San Francisco Housing Authority. Unfortunately, the Section 8 Housing Wait list is closed and currently has thousands of people waiting for openings.

For more information please call (415) 554-1205 or explore their webpage: www.sfha.org.

How do I find emergency housing?

To access any HIV services, including emergency housing, you have to become a San Francisco resident and provide proof of residency. Any San Francisco service provider that has been providing you services for 30 days is able to generate this document.
Tenderloin Health manages the city’s HIV Emergency Housing Program that allows HIV positive clients to stay 28 days with the goal of transitioning to a more stable housing situation. You need to be referred by specific HIV providers. To get a list of the referring agencies call:

• Tenderloin Health
HIV Emergency Housing Program
187 Golden Gate Ave.
(415) 292-6325.