SERVICE

Get help to pay for housing or other emergency needs

The Season of Sharing Program (SoS Program) aims to keep San Francisco residents stably housed by providing emergency financial assistance for housing or other critical needs.

What to know

Cost

Free

About the program

San Francisco’s Season of Sharing Program (SoS Program) is a vital community initiative inspired and supported by the long-standing impact of the Season of Sharing Fund. The SoS Program provides critical, one-time assistance to individuals and families facing unexpected crises – helping them remain housed and regain stability during difficult times.

What to do

1. Review key information

UPDATE - August 18, 2025: Please note that the application procedures for this program have recently changed. We encourage all applicants to review the updated guidelines and requirements before submitting their application.

If you're facing a sudden financial crisis and live in San Francisco, the SoS Program may be able to help. With a compassionate, community-first approach, the program partners with local nonprofits and service providers to deliver emergency financial assistance.

Types of assistance provided through the SoS Program:

Housing Assistance:

  • Back rent/mortgage
  • Move-in costs (security deposit and/or first month’s rent)

Other Critical Needs:

  • Furniture assistance (restrictions apply)
  • Medical bills/equipment costs (restrictions apply)
  • Past-due utilities assistance

Review the SoS Program Rules for more information about the types of assistance provided and eligibility criteria.

2. Check if you can apply

To qualify for the SoS Program, applicants must:

  1. Be a current San Francisco resident;
  2. Be 18 years of age or older;
  3. Have a household income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income* for the applicant’s size;
  4. Not have received Season of Sharing program funds within the last 5 years; and
  5. Be able to demonstrate a financial hardship that occurred within the past six months (if applying for back-rent or mortgage assistance).

*These AMI limits apply to the SOS Program. For other rental assistance programs, please refer to the income requirements stated in that program's eligibility criteria.

Please note: Applicants will not be asked about citizenship/immigration status or be required to show proof of citizenship. At any time, at its sole discretion or the discretion of the Season of Sharing Fund, the program may change the criteria set forth above. Due to limited resources, applicants may not be selected to receive financial assistance even if they meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. Financial assistance is available to households with the highest risk of homelessness or housing loss.

3. Submit your application

Housing Assistance: For back rent/mortgage or move-in costs, you must submit an application through the online SF ERAP Portal.

Other Critical Needs: For furniture assistance, medical bills/equipment costs, and past-due utilities, you must submit an application through one of the Community Partners listed below:

Please contact a Community Partner for more information on how to apply, as well as hours of operation and location.

Contact us

Additional info

For general questions

Leave a call back message: (415) 701-5653
Email: seasonofsharing@sfgov.org