Map Heres where S.F. law would restrict new homeless shelters

San Francisco supervisors Bilal Mahmood and Shamann Walton proposed new legislation requiring each city district to approve a homeless shelter or behavioral health facility by June 2026. The initiative responds to the concentration of shelters in eastern neighborhoods like the Tenderloin and SoMa, leaving Districts 4, 7, and 8 without any shelters. Supported by six supervisors, the law would establish a 1,000 feet buffer zone around existing facilities, necessitating a waiver for any new shelters within that area. Critics argue that this clustering of services hinders recovery efforts for unhoused residents, as the reputation of the Tenderloin may deter individuals seeking help. Mahmood noted that the current setup has created undue burdens on neighborhoods with high shelter density.

Walton emphasized that all city residents should be involved in addressing homelessness. The legislation aims to foster geographic equity while addressing the criticisms of past supervisors regarding shelter density. A city controller's report corroborated these concerns, highlighting the lack of shelters in the city's western half.