San Francisco has an unprecedented opportunity to provide permanent supportive housing for thousands of our unhoused neighbors, ending the revolving-door approach of street sweeps and tent encampments and improving public health and safety for all San Franciscans.  

Homelessness always has been a public health crisis for those who are unhoused, but the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that the well-being of the entire community is only as secure as its most vulnerable members.  Moving thousands of our unhoused neighbors into hotels to shelter-in-place with support services proved to be a successful model for addressing this public health crisis. 

The passage of Prop A and Prop C provided the City with much needed resources to fund housing acquisition and ongoing support services.  In addition to these local resources, we have a unique window of opportunity to invest one-time state and federal funding to expand the stock of permanent supportive housing. California’s Project Homekey, the American Rescue Plan, and FEMA reimbursements to the City can be leveraged to acquire 1,000 units of permanent supportive housing , building upon what the Mayor’s Homeless Recovery Plan currently envisions using only local funding sources. 

These additional 1,000 units of housing represent an investment in the future of our city, and a commitment to renewing the soul of San Francisco as we emerge from this terrible pandemic.  This is doable, and the annual cost of ongoing support of people in permanent housing is less expensive than the annual cost of offering a temporary shelter bed.  It is the smart thing to do. And it is the right thing to do.  

Read our position paper and Street Sheet article to learn more and sign this petition to show your support.