There are many resources for homeonwers in San Francisco. Although the following list is not comprehensive, it provides many of the basic sources of information San Francisco homeowners (or those considering purchasing a home) will likely need.
Neighborhood Services
Assessor-Recorder's Office
311
General Consumer Information
Financing
Housing Counseling Agencies
Property Rehabilitation Non-Profit Partners
California Department of Real Estate
Construction Industry
Insurance
Inspections & Permitting Services
Public Health
Services for Senior Citizens
Assistance to Childcare Facilities
IRS
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
Mayor's Office Of Neighborhood Services
MONS is dedicated to helping the citizens of the City & County of San Francisco receive the highest levels of service possible from all areas of City government. Our district and community liaisons work to ensure that the Mayor's Office is involved with helping to improve the quality of life for all San Francisco residents.
ASSESSOR - RECORDER'S OFFICE
Office of the Assessor- Recorder
The Assessor-Recorder has the following basic responsibilities:
§ Locate all taxable property in the County and identify the ownership.
§ Establish a taxable value for all property subject to property taxation.
§ List the value of all property on the assessment roll.
§ Apply all legal exemptions.
§ Maintain public records.
§ Collect City revenues from the recording of legal documents.
§ Conduct fair and efficient assessments.
§ Improve Customer Services and Technology.
§ Ensure equality in all assessments.
Back To Top Δ
CITY SERVICES SIMPLIFIED
311
3-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects customers with highly-trained Customer Service Representatives ready to help you with non-emergency City and County of San Francisco government matters, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Visit the Most Frequently Requested Information.
Back To Top Δ
GENERAL CONSUMER INFORMATION
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Owning your own home is the American Dream& but you need to be prepared for its challenges. These tips, tricks, and other information can help make your experience as a homeowner a little easier. The website offers information on Maintaining and Improving Your Home, Energy and Your Home Environment, Paying Your Mortgage, Refinancing, Manufactured Homes, Selling Your Home, and other Related Links.
Housing Information, a Consumer Action sister site, is a resource designed to give consumers and community-based agencies serving consumers access to multilingual educational resources promoting intelligent and cost-effective home-buying decisions. In designing the project, Consumer Action has emphasized factually correct and unbiased information and tips to help consumers - in the areas of Buying a Home, Housing Discrimination, Home Financing, Home Repair, and Home Insurance.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Francisco (CCCS)
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (CCCS) is a non-profit service and a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. and are certified by HUD to provide comprehensive housing counseling services.
Whether you need immediate help to pay off debt and avoid bankruptcy or guidance in designing a spending & savings plan or buying a first home, we offer a variety of programs and services that put you in control of your financial future. The Housing Education Program, a division of CCCS, is a HUD approved housing counseling agency, and are recognized by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and local and national leaders for our excellence in meeting the diverse housing needs of the communities we serve.
Back To Top Δ
FINANCING
Reverse Mortgages
HUD
Reverse Mortgages are becoming popular in America. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created one of the first. You can receive free information about reverse mortgages by calling AARP at: 1-800-209-8085, toll-free. Since your home is probably your largest single investment, it's smart to know more about reverse mortgages, and decide if one is right for you!
§ HUD approved Reverse Mortgage Counseling Agencies
§ HUD approved Reverse Mortgage Lenders
American Association for Retired Persons (AARP)
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over.
AARP is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all as we age. We lead positive social change and deliver value to members through information, advocacy and service.
AARP also provides a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members.
These benefits include AARP Web site at www.aarp.org, "AARP The Magazine," the monthly "AARP Bulletin," and a Spanish-language newspaper, "Segunda Juventud."
Active in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP celebrates the attitude that age is just a number and life is what you make it. Visit AARP's website for more informaiotn about reverse mortgages.
Predatory Lending
Don't Borrow Trouble
Don't Borrow Troubleis the first comprehensive consumer awareness campaign of its kind, combining public education and counseling services to help homeowners avoid lending practices that strip away their home's equity. View the Anti-Predatory Lending Brochure.
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Francisco (CCCS)
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (CCCS) is a non-profit service and a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. and are certified by HUD to provide comprehensive housing counseling services.
Whether you need immediate help to pay off debt and avoid bankruptcy or guidance in designing a spending & savings plan or buying a first home, we offer a variety of programs and services that put you in control of your financial future. The Housing Education Program, a division of CCCS , is a HUD approved housing counseling agency, and are recognized by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and local and national leaders for our excellence in meeting the diverse housing needs of the communities we serve.
General Financing
California First Time Homebuyer Assistance (CALFHA)
CALFHA provides information financing tools to first time homebuyers and existing homeowners.
Back To Top Δ
HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCIES
While the following Housing Counseling Agencies all offer homebuyer counseling and education, some also provide post-purchase education. Visit each agency for more information.
Asian, Inc.
1167 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 928-5910
www.asianinc.org
Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)
3505 20th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 282-3334 x16
www.medasf.org
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (CCCS-SF)
595 Market Street, 15th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 788-0288, ext. 137
www.housingeducation.org
San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (SFHDC)
5266 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94124-3117
(415) 822-1022
www.sfhdc.org
San Francisco Urban Community Housing Corporation (SF Urban CHC)
600 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 252-0949
www.sfurbanchc.org
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of San Francisco (CCCS)
595 Market Street, 15th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
(800) 777-7526
http://www.cccssf.org/
Back To Top Δ
PROPERTY REHABILITATION NON-PROFIT PARTNERS
San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (SFHDC)
San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (SFHDC) is a non-profit, community agency benefiting low and moderate-income families and individuals who are interested in achieving the American Dream of Homeownership. Our free program and services include:
Housing Counseling and Property Rehabilitation:
§ Community Home-buying Workshops
§ Credit Repair
§ Individual Counseling Sessions
§ Wealth Building Workshops
§ Financial Fitness Seminars
§ Affordable Home Listing
§ Low and Moderate Income Loan Options
§ Property Rehabilitation Assistance
Asian, Inc.
ASIAN, Inc., a nonprofit technical assistance organization. Principal activities include:
§ Providing affordable housing for low-income families
§ Providing property rehabilitation assistance to low-income homeowners
Back To Top Δ
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE
California Department of Real Estate
The primary objective of the Department of Real Estate (DRE) is the protection of the public interest in regard to the offering of subdivided lands, and the handling of real estate transactions by licensees. To accomplish this, a standard of knowledge, measured by written examination, is established for licensing real estate agents and a minimum criterion of affirmative disclosure is set for qualifying subdivided lands offerings.
At the same time the Department is protecting the public interest and increasing consumer awareness, it collaterally assists the real estate industry in expanding its standards and level of professional ethics and responsibility.
Please visit their website for detailed information about the department's programs and services.
Back To Top Δ
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
California State Licensing Board
The Contractors State License Board protects consumers by regulating the construction industry through policies that promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public in matters relating to construction. Visit the website's Free Information for New Homeowners and Consumers' Page for information on the services they provide.
Back To Top Δ
INSURANCE
California Department of Insurance
The California Department of Insurance is responsible for enforcing many of the insurance-related laws of the state. We are foremost a consumer protection agency. Our number one priority is to protect insurance consumers by regulating the industry's practices and encouraging a healthy marketplace, which is one of the largest in the world. Visit the website's Buying Residential Insurance for more information.
Back To Top Δ
INSPECTIONS AND PERMIT SERVICES
Department of Building Inspection (DBI)
Under the direction and management of the seven-member citizen Building Inspection Commission, to oversee the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of the City and County of San Francisco's Building, Housing, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical Codes, along with the Disability Access Regulations. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions section for more information about their services.
Back To Top Δ
PUBLIC HEALTH
Department of Public Health (DPH)
The mission of the San Francisco Department of Public Health is to protect and promote the health of all San Franciscans.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health shall:
§ Assess and research the health of the community
§ Develop and enforce health policy
§ Prevent disease and injury
§ Educate the public and train health care providers
§ Provide quality, comprehensive, culturally-proficient health services
§ Ensure equal access to all
Visit the website's Programs and Service page and Consumer Resources for more information.
For a listing of frequently used phone numbers, visit here.
Back To Top Δ
SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Department of Aging and Adult Services
The Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) is the Area Agency on Aging for the City and County of San Francisco. In this capacity, DAAS is specifically charged with planning, coordinating, providing and advocating for community-based services for adults and adults with disabilities.
Back To Top Δ
ASSISTANCE TO CHILDCARE FACILITIES
Low-Income Investment Fund (LIIF)
The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) is dedicated to creating pathways of opportunity for low income people and communities. LIIF fosters healthy communities by providing a bridge between private capital markets and low income neighborhoods. Visit the website's Childcare Programs for more information.
Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)
For over 32 years MEDA has worked to improve economic and social conditions in the neighborhood by stimulating investment, enhancing the business environment, and creating jobs for area residents. MEDA is committed to maintaining the cultural identity and resources of the Mission District.
MEDA believes quality childcare is an integral part of a healthy community. The Family Childcare Business Development Program assists providers and early childhood educators to establish and grow successful operations.
Through individualized consultations and workshops, our consultants identify childcare providers' needs and develop strategies and systems to address them. Whether starting or expanding a childcare business, we can assist you free-of-charge every step of the way, in English or Spanish.
MEDA's Business Consultants can help with:
- Budgeting
- Break-even Analysis
- Developing Business & Financial Plans
- Packaging Grants
- Packaging Loan Proposals
- Market Research
- Record Keeping and Pricing
For more information please contact Teresa Garcia at mtgarcia@medasf.org or call (415) 282-3334 ex.13
Back To Top Δ
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS)
The IRS provides a Frequently Asked Tax Questions and Answers Page that may provide information you are looking for.
Back To Top Δ
Descriptions have been gathered from each agency's website.
If you have other useful links for homeowners, let us know!
