S.F. homeless families can stay in shelters for longer after pushback

San Francisco will implement a new policy starting October 1 that allows homeless families to stay in shelters for 90 days and receive unlimited extensions based on their progress toward permanent housing. Currently sheltered families will receive a blanket 90-day extension to bridge the gap until the new policy starts. Mayor Daniel Lurie previously assured families that making positive progress would prevent evictions, but some families faced eviction notices shortly after, prompting protests. Legislation introduced by District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder aims to extend shelter stays to a year, reflecting the families' desires. The policy change results from negotiations between the Department of Homelessness, shelter providers, and advocacy groups, with most affected families being immigrants.

Lurie emphasized the importance of compassion in helping families access stable housing. The Board of Supervisors secured $30 million for housing families and transitional-aged youth, sourced from Proposition C, a 2018 measure for homeless services. This funding is critical as the mayor proposed shifting $89 million meant for permanent housing toward temporary shelters, which was negotiated down to $34 million.