SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Daniel Lurie on Tuesday unveiled his Family Opportunity Agenda, a sweeping policy initiative aimed at reducing the cost of living for families by expanding access to child care, education, housing, transportation, food and health care.
City officials say the plan will make San Francisco the first city in the nation to guarantee access to child care for every family with children under age 5. The agenda also introduces a new education pilot program allowing select high school students to earn college degrees or industry certifications at no cost.
The initiative builds on recent actions by Lurie’s administration, including expanded housing zoning, protections for food assistance during a threatened federal shutdown and reforms to speed up city permitting.
“Today marks the beginning of a powerful effort to reduce the cost of living for San Francisco families,” Lurie said. “We are taking on the biggest expenses families face and expanding opportunities for our students to earn good-paying jobs.”
Child care and education expansion
Under the plan, San Francisco will use unspent funds from a 2018 voter-approved measure to expand free and subsidized child care at more than 500 providers citywide. Families of four earning under $230,000 annually will qualify for free care, while those earning up to $310,000 will receive partial subsidies.
The city will also maintain free after-school and summer programs through community partners and continue tuition-free enrollment at City College of San Francisco.
In partnership with San Francisco Unified School District, the city will launch a pilot allowing about 100 high school juniors to earn associate degrees or industry certifications while still in high school, with a guaranteed transfer option to San Francisco State University.
Housing, transit and basic needs
The Family Opportunity Agenda also reinforces the mayor’s Family Zoning plan, which allows for more than 36,000 new housing units across the city, including thousands of affordable homes for low- and very low-income families.
Transit affordability remains a central focus. The city will preserve free Muni rides for seniors, people with disabilities and all riders under 18, while protecting funding for Muni service expansion.
In addition, San Francisco will expand outreach to help residents maintain access to food and health benefits, including CalFresh and Medi-Cal, and continue partnerships to address food insecurity in underserved neighborhoods.
Key benefits of the Family Opportunity Agenda
- Universal child care access for all families with children under age 5
- Significant cost savings, potentially tens of thousands of dollars per year for families
- Free college pathways for high school students through dual enrollment and certifications
- Expanded housing supply, including affordable units for working families
- Free public transit for youth, seniors and residents with disabilities
- Continued food and health care access for vulnerable residents
- Streamlined permitting to reduce costs for homeowners and small businesses
City leaders and education advocates praised the initiative, calling it a long-term investment in family stability, workforce development and economic recovery.
