Rental Relief is Here – Apply Now!

Emergency Rental Assistance
On Tuesday, I joined local community leaders and families who have benefitted from rental assistance for a press event at La Raza Community Resource Center in the Mission to discuss the Emergency Rental Assistance program, which makes federal funding available to assist pandemic-affected rental households with rent, back-rent and utility payments to avoid mass evictions. One family being evicted is a tragedy. One hundred families being evicted is a crisis. The potential of thousands or even millions of families being evicted would have been a national shame.

We heard from a San Francisco family that was at risk of eviction and applied for rental assistance with the help of La Raza. They received $18,000 in assistance, which provided their family with the financial stability to stay afloat during the pandemic. Our Bay Area community is so grateful for the work that our community partners, including La Raza, do to ensure families can access vital benefits in a linguistically and culturally appropriate way.

Fighting for families is a value that unites Democrats – and we remain committed to ensuring every family can keep a roof overhead during this crisis. Congress secured $46.5 billion to protect renters and landlords in the American Rescue Plan and last year's year-end funding bill – including over $5 billion for California and over $182 million for San Francisco. If you are struggling to make rent due to the pandemic, there are federal resources to help you avoid debt and be stably housed, which can be accessed through HousingIsKey.com and SF.gov/RentHelp.

For rental payments from April 2020 – March 2021	For rental payments from April 2021 onward

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi joins local leaders and families who have benefitted from the $46 billion in federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds as part of the Biden-Harris American Rescue Plan at La Raza Community Resource Center in the Mission District. You can apply for rental assistance and get more information at sf.gov/renthelp and housingiskey.com.

Infrastructure Bill Passes Senate
Under the leadership of President Biden, Congress is seizing this once-in-a-century opportunity to Build Back Better for our country. On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure package, paving the way for not only rebuilding but reimagining our infrastructure for the 21st Century Economy. This package is an important step to rebuild the middle class as we rebuild our infrastructure – creating good-paying American jobs and turbocharging American competitiveness and growth.

The House will continue to work with the Senate to ensure that our priorities For The People are included in the final infrastructure and reconciliation packages, in a way that is resilient and lifts up working families.

Passing of Ambassador James Hormel
It is with the deepest sadness and the greatest appreciation for his unsurpassed contributions to our country and society that I learned of the passing of Ambassador Hormel. We will dearly miss him in San Francisco, in our nation and around the world.

Jim Hormel made history as the first openly gay U.S. Ambassador, paving the way for a new generation of leaders and elevating the voices of LGBTQ voices in our foreign policy. With his gentle yet powerful voice and undaunted determination, Jim made it his mission to fight for dignity and equality for all. As the first openly gay Ambassador, he had the courage to be a pioneer and had the patriotism to accept the challenge.

When the AIDS epidemic descended upon San Francisco, he called on our conscience and rallied the city to help our neighbors suffering from the ferocious disease. His work served as a model for national policy to defeat HIV/AIDS and improve the lives of all affected.

In our community and country, Jim was recognized as a significant champion of the arts and education. His love of his family and loyalty to his friends made him a beloved figure in our community. It is fitting that Jim's name is etched in history as the first openly gay U.S. Ambassador, but his extraordinary greatness is forever etched in the hearts of all who know him.

Jim's extraordinary life will always serve as a beacon of hope and promise for LGBTQ children across our country and around the world.

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, Help Is Here! Make sure you get your Rescue Plan benefits today.

Keeping Ahead of COVID in San Francisco
As the Delta variant spreads, you can get vaccinated and continue to take precautions, including using indoor face coverings, to keep you and your loved ones safe. For eligible residents over the age of 12, find out where your local free vaccination sites are here. Learn about free testing options in San Francisco here. California also announced a digital vaccination portal which can be accessed here.