San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie signs measure create reparations fund for Black residents without initial funding
San Francisco is taking another step towards possibly paying reparations to some African-American citizens.
Mayor Daniel Lurie signed a measure last week to create a fund to help Black residents harmed by past city laws.
The measure, however, does not allocate any city dollars for those payouts; Lurie says the city doesn't have the money for it. Instead, it's establishing a place to hold contributions.
Lurie issued a statement, saying in part: "For several years, communities across the city have been working with government to acknowledge the decades of harm done to San Francisco's Black community...If there is private funding that can be dedicated to this fund, we stand ready to ensure that funding gets to those who are eligible for it."
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Mayor Daniel Lurie's full statement:
"For several years, communities across the city have been working with government to acknowledge the decades of harm done to San Francisco's Black community, including in the Western Addition and the Bayview, and ensure that everyone in our city has the opportunity to provide for their family. While that process largely predates my administration, I am signing the legislation to create this fund in recognition of the work of so many San Franciscans and the unanimous support of the Board of Supervisors.
"Every day I've been in office, my administration has worked to strengthen our investment in San Francisco's Black residents and improve the services they rely on to live in this city -- from public safety and street cleaning to affordable housing and education. As we go through the budget process, we are preparing to close a nearly $1 billion deficit -- that means identifying key priorities for funding so we can continue delivering those services well. Given these historic fiscal challenges, the city does not have resources to allocate to this fund. My administration has regularly supported the use of private funds to support our communities, and if there is private funding that can be legally dedicated to this fund, we stand ready to ensure that funding gets to those who are eligible for it."
