San Francisco homeless tent tally hits new low

The homeless tent count in San Francisco fell to 165 in June 2025, marking an 85 percent decrease since the peak of 1,108 in April 2020. Mayor Daniel Lurie attributed the reduction to the coordinated efforts of neighborhood-based street teams launched in March 2025 to assist those experiencing homelessness. Activists, however, contend that the decline in tents does not reflect a genuine decrease in homelessness, as many individuals remain unsheltered and exposed. Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness, criticized the city's approach, arguing that the removal of tents has left many without adequate shelter. The report also noted an increase in shelter occupants, rising from 6,859 in 2024 to 9,913 in 2021, suggesting a shift in the homeless population dynamics.

The mayor has set a goal to add 1,500 new shelter beds, yet only 122 have been established to date. Friedenbach emphasized that alternative metrics, such as exits from shelters to permanent housing, may provide a clearer picture of the homelessness crisis. The latest point-in-time count showed a 13-percent decrease in unsheltered homeless individuals since 2022.