Season of Sharing Program Rules

Program Overview

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.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

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 SoS 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.

Selection Criteria

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.

Assistance Types

Back rent/mortgage: If applying for back rent or mortgage assistance, applicants must have experienced a recent financial hardship within the past six months prior to the application date. The financial hardship may be a loss of income and/or a significant and unexpected increase in expenses. Financial hardship must be documented and proportional to the rent owed to be eligible for SoS back rent assistance.

Future rent: Eligible applicants can receive assistance for up to one month of future rent only if applying for back rent assistance.

Move-in assistance: Eligible applicants can receive a security deposit and/or first month’s rent for a secured unit. Assistance can be provided for eligible households who are moving within or outside of San Francisco.

Furniture assistance (restrictions apply): This is available only for households moving into an unfurnished unit and who do not have basic furniture. The eligible items include: bedframe, mattress, dresser, chest, dining room set with 4 chairs. Applications must be received within 30 days of a signed lease and additional documentation will be required before approval.

Limited medical bills/equipment costs (restrictions apply): This can be covered with proof of medical necessity and additional documentation will be required before approval.

Past-due utility assistance: This is available with proof that the applicant is participating in a discount program through the utility company or has been denied financial assistance from the utility agency (proof must be submitted). Utility assistance can only be provided if the account is under the applicant’s name and additional documentation will be required before approval.

Get help with utilities:

• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission - Customer Assistance Program
• San Francisco-Peninsula Energy Service
• PG&E - Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH
• PG&E - California Alternate Rates for Energy Program (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)
• PG&E - Additional payment arrangements

Assistance Limits

Eligible households may receive up to $3000 in financial assistance for furniture, past due utilities and limited medical bills/equipment costs. Eligible households may receive up to $5000 in financial assistance for back rent/mortgage, security deposit, first month rent, one month of future rent. The amount approved will be contingent upon factors such as outstanding rent or move-in costs, financial hardship, and other relevant considerations.

Required Documentation

The following documents are required to receive financial assistance:

• Valid identification for all adults 18 years of age and older
• Proof of age for all children under the age of 18
• Income verification for all household members 18 years of age and older
• Proof of San Francisco residency
• Proof of unpaid rent/mortgage or move-in costs
• Current utility statement under applicant’s name
• Itemized invoice for medical equipment or medical bill
• Proof of financial hardship within the last six months
• If a balance remains after the grant is approved, applicants must show proof of how the rest will be paid.

Additional Rules for RAD, HOPE SF, and Permanent Supportive Housing Tenants

To qualify for back rent assistance from SoS, tenants must first apply for assistance from SF ERAP. If an application is received without the tenant having applied for prior assistance through SF ERAP, the application will be denied.

If in need of additional back rent assistance, a RAD, HOPE SF, and PSH tenants are eligible for back rent assistance but are not eligible for future rent assistance.

Tenants are eligible to apply for all other types of assistance from Season of Sharing without being required to adhere to the above-mentioned payment plan guidelines.