08/12/09 - Today Mayor Newsom announced a new initiative, JOBS NOW, to put 1,000 San Franciscans back to work using $25 million in federal stimulus funding. The program began a pilot phase in May and has already placed almost 200 workers.

"Times are tough, so we need to get creative and innovative about how we find people jobs and get them working again," said Mayor Newsom. "These resources come directly from President Obama’s stimulus plan and the people that find jobs through this program are the living, breathing proof that stimulus dollars are reaching the people who need the most help."

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) includes $5 billion nationwide to create the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund (TANF-ECF), which provides federal funds to pay for 80 percent of the costs of subsidized employment programs. California will receive $1.8 billion in federal funds to pass through to counties for this program. Read more

07/21/09 - Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the release of the first Mayor’s Office of Housing Annual Report. The Annual Housing Report offers a transparent explanation of housing-related activities funded by the City – from housing the homeless, to assisting first-time home buyers, to rebuilding public housing. The report describes the City’s efforts to increase affordable housing options and is informative for homeowners and renters alike.

"As we face challenging economic times, San Francisco strives to provide residents with decent and affordable housing, and to aggressively push housing development as an economic stimulus," said Mayor Newsom. "Home construction plays a vital role in maintaining strong communities since construction of new housing creates valuable jobs and revenue for our City, as well as places to call home for residents of all income levels." For a copy of the report go to www.sfgov.org/moh. Read more

$50,000 provided to start- up beauty supply store in Noe Valley and organic granola company in the Mission

07/14/09 - Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that the City has awarded the first two loans through the San Francisco Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). The loans will allow two, women owned, small businesses to open or expand their businesses in San Francisco – Bubbles & Shampoo, a beauty supply store / salon in Noe Valley and 18 Rabbits, an organic granola company in the Northeast Mission. Each business received a loan of $25,000 through the Revolving Loan Fund.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but like many in the nation, San Francisco small businesses are shedding jobs while consumer spending drops and bank loans and credit diminish," said Mayor Newsom. "Our small businesses are too important to fail - that is why we created the Revolving Loan Fund to boost and aid entrepreneurism with more loans and free resources. The loans are designed to bridge the funding gap experienced by many small companies who have viable business plans but are failing to access funds." Read more

Mayor Gavin Newsom and Sandra Hernández, M.D., CEO of The San Francisco Foundation, today announced the release of the Mayor’s Community-Based Task Force report, "Partnering with Nonprofits in Tough Times." Mayor Newsom commissioned the Task Force and report, and appointed Dr. Hernández and City Attorney Dennis Herrera as co-chairs. Comprised of key city, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders, the Task Force was charged with reviewing and analyzing the city’s Departments of Public Health and Human Services’ nonprofit relationships and contracts totaling more than $500 million.

Read the Mayor's Office full press release: http://www.sfgov.org/site/mayor_index.asp?id=103415

Read the full report: CBO Task Force Report (PDF)