Disaster Services Emergency Services for Fire Damage

The American Red Cross provides immediate assistance for food, clothing, or housing, such as overnight shelter and temporary hoteling for you and your family. If you or someone you know has recently experienced a disaster, call (866) 272-2237.

If your household experienced food loss due to a fire, SFHSA can help you apply for emergency food replacement. If you are already receiving CalFresh, contact (415) 558-4700 or email food@sfgov.org.

SFHSA Emergency Rental Assistance Program: website, (415) 557-5370, email HSAFireResponse@sfgov.org
SF-ERAP provides tenants of: 

• Non-rent-controlled units with a one-time payment to cover move-in cost to a new unit. The program makes the payment directly to the landlord of the new unit.
• Rent-controlled units with a monthly rent subsidy. The subsidy pays the difference between the rent at the tenant’s permanent residence and a comparable unit leased at the current market rate. The subsidy can last for up to two years, or until the permanent address is ready to reoccupy if sooner. Rent-controlled tenants have the right to return after repairs are completed.

To qualify for the program, you must have:

• Been displaced by a fire in San Francisco within the past three months
• A source of income that does not exceed 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
• Liquid assets that do not exceed $60,000 (excluding retirement and college savings accounts, cars, and other property)
• Already exhausted any benefit from renters or homeowners' insurance.

SFHSA can help residents determine if they are eligible for financial assistance through ERAP. To apply or to learn more, contact HSAFireResponse@sfgov.org or call (415) 557-5370.

San Francisco Displaced Tenant Housing Preference Program: website, (415) 701-5613
The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) helps tenants displaced from rent-controlled housing by no-fault eviction, fire, or unaffordable rent due to expiring affordability restrictions. The certificate provides preference for affordable housing lotteries administered by MOHCD. The lottery application form must be signed off by either SFFD's Bureau of Fire Investigation or SFHSA.

More programs: 

• Catholic Charities: website, (415) 972-1200
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: website, (415) 487-3000
• Tzu Chi USA: website, (415) 682-0566

The timeline of different fire incidents will vary depending on the severity of the situation. Tenants will be notified about the condition of their unit regarding the habitability and access to possessions. Department of Building Inspection (DBI) will work with property owners and landlords to provide building access for tenants.

Contact DBI at (628) 652-3450 or email DBI.inspectionservices@sfgov.org. 

You have the right to return with the same terms of your rental agreement that existed prior to your leaving. You have 30 days to notify the landlord of your acceptance or rejection of the offer to reoccupy. If you accept the offer, you need to reoccupy your home within 45 days of receiving your landlord's offer.

If you need to get a fire report to make an insurance claim, view instruction on the San Francisco Fire Department's Fire Reports webpage. 

The following organizations can help you understand tenant's rights and get assistance:

• San Francisco Tenants Union: website, (415) 282-6622
• Housing Rights Committee: website, (415) 703-8644
• Causa Justa: website, (415) 487-9203
• Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC): website, (415) 984-1450
• Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA): website, (415) 282-3334

For more resources, view the complete List of Tenant's Rights Organizations.

For a pet emergency during a fire incident, call Animal Control Officers for help at (415) 554-9400.

Resources are available to businesses after a major fire, including a Fire Disaster Relief grant of up to $10,000. Learn more.