San Francisco Sun

San Francisco will receive $44 million in state funds to support homeless shelter operations, according to an announcement from the State of California. The funding is part of the Homelessness, Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, which aids communities across California in addressing homelessness through regional coordination and local capacity development.

The city has seen a 70% increase in shelter capacity since Mayor London Breed took office in 2018. The HHAP funds are flexible and can be used for various projects, including emergency interventions and strategic planning. San Francisco has utilized these funds to create safe spaces for people transitioning off the streets.

Recent data shows a significant reduction in tent counts within the city. In October, the quarterly tent count was at its lowest since San Francisco began conducting these counts in 2018, with only 242 tents recorded—a 60% decrease from July 2023's count of 609.

Mayor Breed emphasized the importance of this funding: “San Francisco is continuing to add new shelter and move people out of homelessness thanks to funding and dedicated outreach workers hitting our streets every day to help people.” She expressed gratitude towards Governor Newsom and state partners for their continued support.

Since her tenure began, Mayor Breed has expanded San Francisco’s homelessness response system significantly. The city has increased shelter beds by over 70%, housing slots for formerly homeless individuals by over 50%, and added behavioral health treatment beds. In the past year alone, over 5,200 people have exited homelessness with nearly 10,000 receiving shelter services.

Shireen McSpadden, executive director of SF Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing stated: “This significant and impactful funding award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to addressing homelessness in San Francisco.”