Mayor Lurie calls for more data on drug and homeless street teams

Mayor Daniel Lurie of San Francisco is assessing the effectiveness of newly established street teams that tackle drug use and homelessness. A 30-day progress report revealed these teams connected 977 people to medical and mental health services and filled between 79 and 98 percent of their allocated shelter beds. The mayor’s office is requesting further data to understand the longer-term outcomes for individuals after initial contact. During a recent board hearing, Supervisor Jackie Fielder criticized city officials for failing to define success metrics clearly. City staff reported improved coordination and quicker responses as a result of the new collaborative approach.

However, the report underscores the urgent need for more shelter beds, with many becoming unavailable by lunchtime. Additionally, the city plans to expand the number of teams from three to six in the coming month. Lurie aims to refine how success is measured to better inform San Franciscans about the program's effectiveness.