The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors honored the City of South San Francisco at its recent meeting for the City’s efforts to providing opportunities to youth in need. The City of South San Francisco, in partnership with the San Mateo County Human Services Agency, has provided five below market rate rental units in the downtown area for seven emancipated foster youth. The program offers emancipated foster youths between the ages 18 and 21 affordable housing, which are paid for by San Mateo County Human Services Agency.
The emancipated foster youth, whom have successfully completed two years of transitional planning with guidance from social workers and have demonstrated a level of maturity to guarantee success as residents, are selected by the San Mateo County Human Services Agency to participate in the program. Additionally, as a program requirement, the emancipated foster youth must be enrolled in a four-year university or community college, or possess full-time employment.
At the Board meeting, Summer Wahab, a recipient of the housing program in South San Francisco spoke on behalf of her struggles securing affordable housing in the Bay Area. “I want to give a huge thank you to South San Francisco, HSA, and partners,” says Wahab. “I can honestly say you’ve saved me. It’s an amazing feeling to know that it’s safe to walk down the street with my daughter.”
Mayor Matsumoto & SMC Supervisor Dave Pine
Photo: City of SSF
Following Wahab’s comments, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors presented a Resolution to South San Francisco Mayor Karyl Matsumoto, who accepted the honor on behalf of the City.
“These are some of the things that make you feel wonderful,” says Mayor Matsumoto. “We’re officially expanding our Community Outreach Program to include emancipated youth. We can fundraise and gather donations to help out our new residents.”
Currently, all units in the program, which include three one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units, are occupied.
For more information, please contact the Economic and Community Development Department at (650) 829-6620.