I have a big problem with equating blacks to poor people, mostly because it makes blacks monolithic, as if all blacks are poor. This isn't the case, even if you limit your analysis to the SF area.
Consider how ridiculous it is to equate an entire ethnic group with poverty, or wealth for that matter--there are wealthy and poor people across all demographics. Far better for the NYT to have said poorer residents, or some such like.
It does seem the mayor specifically mentioned blacks (could be a political calculus or real concern), but the reporters also referenced them separately, vaguely. Either way, the characterization of blacks in this article was done poorly.
You asked if this is racism; probably something like implicit bias - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aversive_racism.
Also: it seems you thought that the contributor's name (Malia) somehow indicates that she is black. A google search shows otherwise.