(a) Establishment of Fund. The COVID-19 Rent Resolution and Relief Fund (the “Fund”) is hereby established as a category eight fund to provide financial assistance to (1) landlords of residential rental units as defined in Chapter 37 of the Administrative Code whose low income tenants have been unable to pay rent for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and/or (2) low income tenants of residential rental units as defined in Chapter 37 of the Administrative Code if their landlords have refused to participate in COVID-19 rent relief programs or are unresponsive to requests to participate in such rent relief programs. “Low income” is defined as up to 80 percent of the median income for the San Francisco area, as published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Use of Fund. The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (“MOHCD”) shall administer the Fund to provide financial assistance to landlords and/or low income tenants, as specified in subsections (a) and (c)(2), to prevent evictions related to the COVID-19 state of emergency. MOHCD’s criteria for receiving financial assistance from the Fund shall be based on the tenant demonstrating the following: (1) the tenant’s household income does not to exceed low income; (2) the tenant has experienced financial hardship during or due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and (3) the tenant is at risk of homelessness or housing instability.
(c) Administration of Fund.
(1) Responsible Agency. MOHCD shall administer the Fund, shall develop rules for receiving financial assistance from the Fund in accordance with subsection (b), including but not limited to, additional criteria for eligibility, prioritization, and financial assistance, and may consult with other City agencies such as the Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board (“Rent Board”). In consultation with the Controller’s Office and any other City agency as MOHCD deems appropriate, the MOHCD Director or the Director’s designee shall adopt rules for the distribution of monies in the Fund consistent with this Section 10.100-51.1. MOHCD shall make these rules available on its website and at its office.
(2) Methods of Assistance. MOHCD may use the Fund to provide financial assistance directly to landlords and/or tenants. In addition, or in the alternative, MOHCD may administer the Fund through the award of grants to one or more nonprofit, community based organizations, subject to this Section 10.100-51.1
and any rules adopted by MOHCD. If MOHCD administers the Program through the award of grants to one or more nonprofit, community based organizations, MOHCD shall comply with Administrative Code Chapter 21 and Chapter 21G, as applicable.
(3) Expiration. MOHCD may award grants to nonprofit community based organizations, and may provide direct financial assistance to landlords and tenants, from the Fund until June 30, 2023. Any monies in the Fund that are not expended by June 30, 2023 may be used by MOHCD for other rental assistance and eviction prevention programs. The Board of Supervisors may extend this date by ordinance.
(4) Outside Consultation. MOHCD may consult with organizations representing the interests of landlords and/or tenants regarding its implementation of this Section 10.100-51.1
.
(Added by Ord. 159-21, File No. 210809, App. 10/8/2021, Eff. 11/8/2021; expired 11/8/2023)