A family of four needs $134,211 per year on average to afford basic needs in the Bay Area, according to a new study that paints a bleak picture amid a deteriorating economic outlook.

The big picture: As the Bay Area's cost of living has outpaced affordability, 27% of households here are struggling to meet basic needs, per the new analysis by anti-poverty nonprofit United Ways of California. That's almost 674,000 households.

By the numbers: The $134,211 average for basic needs, what United Way calls the real cost measure (RCM), is an increase of nearly $15,000 since it was last calculated in 2023.

• Meanwhile, the average household income in the region is just under $130,000.

Zoom in: San Francisco, where the average household income is about $139,000, has the highest RCM among Bay Area counties.

• A family of four needs nearly $162,823 per year on average to afford basic needs.
• For two adults, it's $87,762.

What they're saying: "No working household should be on the threshold of poverty with this annual salary," Keisha Browder, CEO of United Way Bay Area, told Axios.

Between the lines: Unlike the federal poverty level, which is based primarily on food costs, the RCM provides a more accurate reflection of the cost of living, according to Browder.

• The study examines the prices of housing, health care, child care, transportation and taxes.
• Calculations are based on a configuration of two adults, one infant and one school-aged child, though other household types are included in its research database.

Friction point: The findings come as San Francisco struggles with looming budget cuts that could impact public assistance and grant programs.

• At a recent City Hall hearing, attorney Emberly Cross of the Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic asked officials to tell her "which of the 516 domestic violence survivors and their children the city wants to not receive legal services next year."

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World, the eyeball-scanning identity management platform co-founded by Sam Altman, is bringing its technology to the U.S.

Why it matters: The move opens up one of the biggest and most lucrative technology markets for World, which says its biometric verification system is the key to proving humanity in a world where people and bots operate side-by-side.

Driving the news: World will bring its Orb scanner to the U.S., starting in San Francisco as well as Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville.

• The scanners will be located at both standalone World Spaces and partner locations, including Razer's retail stores.

Catch up quick: Originally known as Worldcoin, the company rebranded last year to expand beyond its cryptocurrency roots.

• The project made headlines for offering a small amount of its cryptocurrency in exchange for verifying identity and biometric data — a proposition met with opposition from regulators.

The big picture: Adrian Ludwig, chief architect of Tools for Humanity, the for-profit tech company behind the World effort, said recent examples in the U.S. of scammers using AI tools to sign up for class-action settlements and financial aid highlight an urgent need for better means of identity verification.

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🗿 The Asian Art Museum will return four ancient bronze sculptures that were looted from Thailand 50 years ago. (SF Chronicle)

🏳️‍⚧️ San Francisco's transgender district is scrambling to keep its programs running after the city's decision to cancel grants awarded by the scandal-plagued Dream Keeper Initiative took away $950,000 from its budget. (SF Examiner)

🏘️ President Trump's proposed corporate tax cut could lead to a loss of around $250 million for California's affordable housing industry, a new estimate shows. (Mission Local)

Raising chickens has increased in popularity among Americans as a means to save money on food costs, increase self-sufficiency and avoid high egg prices.

• For many, it also produces eggs that are a healthier alternative to in-store options, avoids certain practices that can lead to disease and reduces pests and insects in gardens.

What they're saying: "The world is changing because of climate change, viruses and practices that don't help support resilient animals," said Jamie Chan, a San Francisco native who's executive director of the Planet Bee Foundation.

Zoom in: While the San Francisco Environment Department doesn't track the number of backyard chickens, the city limits residents to four hens and prohibits roosters.

Between the lines: Though egg production rates vary, Chan said, chickens in their prime can produce one egg per day over an 18- to 24-month period.

Yes, but: Caring for the birds instead of buying eggs at the store can still be expensive. Supplies for food, upkeep and a coop to get started with two hens can cost about $600, excluding the cost of the birds themselves.

What's next: Learn more about raising urban chickens at a workshop tomorrow. Tickets start at $27.

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Cheers, it's the weekend.

• Here's what's happening around the Bay:

🎬 "Ferris Bueller's Day Off": Watch the classic '80s film at a waterfront screening at the Ferry Building, featuring drag bingo and a late night happy hour.

• 7-10pm on Friday at the Ferry Building Suite #54. Tickets start at $8.

🏇🏼 Kentucky Derby Watch Party: Don your best derby attire as you sip on mint juleps while watching the race.

• 1-6pm on Saturday at The General's Residence at 1 Fort Mason. Tickets start at $97.

🇲🇽 Lucha Libre: Enjoy handmade goods, fashion and art from various vendors, live banda, traditional Mexican fare and masked wrestler matches.

• From 1-8pm on Sunday in Treasure Island at the Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery Tasting Room at 1 Avenue of the Palms.

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