How to Help Those Affected by the Mission and 29th Streets Fire in San Francisco

FireMEDA is providing services and addressing the needs of those affected by the June 18, 2016 fire at Mission and 29th streets. Here is how the community can get involved.

TENANT NEEDS

There were 58 tenants displaced by the fire at Mission and 29th streets. The main thing that most people can provide to support these families is cash donations. MEDA has a standing Mission Tenants’ Fire Fund. Donations to this fund are being processed through our 501(c)3 and are tax deductible. MEDA will donate all of its administrative and credit card processing costs for these donations. In addition, MEDA is working with these tenants to connect them with the various other services at MEDA and our numerous partner agencies.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Donate here.

Questions?
Jillian Spindle: (415) 282-3334 ext. 116; jspindle@medasf.org.

There is also a need for displaced tenants to find studios, 1 BR, 2 BR, and 3 BR housing. Anyone providing such housing will likely qualify for Good Samaritan Tenancy eligibility.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact MEDA’s Gabriel Medina if you can provide housing to the displaced tenants (temporary or long term).

Gabriel Medina: (415) 282-3334 ext. 150; gmedina@medasf.org.

BUSINESS NEEDS

The most current count is that eight businesses were either temporarily or permanently displaced because of the fire. MEDA is taking the lead in providing rapid response assistance to these businesses. We also manage a City-funded program called the Small Business Disaster Recovery Fund, from which we will be able to provide up to $10,000 grants to impacted businesses that qualify. In addition, we will be making Adelante Fund loans available, which are flexible, low-cost business loans from MEDA’s own community loan fund.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact MEDA’s Nathanial Owen if you own available commercial space that might be a good fit for any of the displaced businesses.

Nathanial Owen: (415) 282-3334 ext. 153; nowen@medasf.org.

WORKFORCE NEEDS

We are still working with the City to obtain accurate information on all employees impacted by the fire. Within the next week or so, we will be hosting a workshop for all employees (offered in at least Spanish and English) to sign up for workforce services from MEDA, apply for unemployment assistance, and to connect with other services at MEDA and our numerous partner agencies.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact MEDA’s Ernesto Martinez if you are an employer with job openings and are interested in interviewing displaced employees.

Ernesto Martinez: (415) 282-3334 ext. 163; emartinez@medasf.org.

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