San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie declared a rent emergency on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in response to soaring apartment prices in the city. The mayor has proposed reforms aimed at curbing evictions and preventing further rent spikes.
The Bay Area city is known for its expensive housing and rental markets. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is currently $4,495, significantly higher than the national median of $1,900 for a similar property.
The rising rental costs are attributed to a recent influx of wealth, particularly as artificial intelligence companies have begun to go public. San Francisco has also reportedly lagged in approving new housing, contributing to increased demand for limited options.
Among the proposed measures are caps on rent increases for rent-controlled apartments and an increase in payments to tenants evicted under the Ellis Act. The plan also includes $27 million in funding to cover lapses from federal housing vouchers.