San Francisco – Michelle Tandler, a prominent commentator on urban issues, recently took to social media to provide "quick corrections" regarding key statistics for the city's employment landscape and housing stability. Her tweet, dated August 18, 2025, aimed to clarify figures often discussed in the context of San Francisco's economic and social dynamics, emphasizing a more precise understanding of the city's workforce and housing programs.
On the employment front, Tandler stated, "> ~300k work for the city - another 300k in gov-funded jobs (e.g., at state and federal level)." This clarification suggests a total of approximately 600,000 individuals are employed either directly by the city or through government-funded initiatives, encompassing state and federal positions within the metropolitan area. These figures represent a significant portion of the city's overall workforce, highlighting the substantial role of public sector and government-supported employment.
Regarding housing, Tandler offered a refined perspective on the proportion of residents in stable housing situations. She noted, "> maybe closer to 27% of the city is in stabilized housing, wth an additional ~10% in rent-controlled, public housing, or Section 8." This brings the total percentage of the city's population benefiting from various forms of housing stability, including rent control, public housing, and Section 8 subsidies, to approximately 37%.
San Francisco has long grappled with challenges related to housing affordability and the cost of living, making these statistics particularly relevant for residents and policymakers. The clarification on housing stability underscores the impact of existing programs designed to provide affordable living options in one of the nation's most expensive real estate markets. Tandler's corrections contribute to ongoing discussions about the city's demographic and economic realities.