San Francisco Mayor Declares Rent Emergency as Median Rents Jump Over 25%
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 10
San Francisco Mayor Declares Rent Emergency as Median Rents Jump Over 25%
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 10
Summary
Daniel Lurie plans to declare a rent emergency on Thursday and back measures to slow evictions, cap allowable rent increases and expand funding for nonprofit eviction lawyers.
More than 25% rent growth over the past year drove the move, with the average one-bedroom apartment now costing above $4,000 a month amid San Francisco’s A.I.-fueled housing surge.
The declaration does not let Lurie bypass laws or regulations; he said it is meant to force city leaders to focus on affordability, much as his 2025 fentanyl emergency did.
Lurie argued San Francisco’s recovery cannot exclude lower-earning and working-class residents, highlighting the tension between the city’s renewed momentum and a fresh influx of tech wealth.