San Francisco Sun

San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed, alongside the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), the San Francisco Interfaith Council (SFIC), and Episcopal Community Services (ECS), has announced the return of the city's Interfaith Winter Shelter program. This initiative provides shelter, hot meals, and mobile showers for homeless individuals during the winter season.

Now in its 36th year, the program will operate from November 25, 2024, to March 30, 2025. It will increase San Francisco's shelter capacity from 30 to 80 beds per night across five different locations represented by various faith communities. The program will continue to accept self-referrals.

Mayor Breed stated, "San Francisco is a city of opportunity and compassion... For over three decades, the Interfaith Winter Shelter program has helped so many people access shelter during a particularly challenging time of year." She emphasized the importance of partnerships with local organizations in expanding services for the city's unhoused community.

The city provides shelter and housing to nearly 15,000 homeless and formerly homeless individuals nightly. Since Mayor Breed took office in 2018, there has been a significant expansion in San Francisco's homelessness response system. This includes increasing shelter beds by over 70% and housing slots for formerly homeless individuals by over 50%.

Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director of HSH, remarked on the shared dedication to supporting vulnerable community members: "With the addition of extra shelter beds available through Interfaith Winter Shelter... we are grateful to provide not just a warm and safe place to sleep but also nourishing hot meals and access to showers."

The program is operated by ECS in partnership with SFIC and HSH. It rotates between several sites including Canon Kip Senior Center and Saint Mary’s Cathedral. Michael Pappas, executive director of SFIC, highlighted that responding to essential needs is "more than just an act of charity; it's a moral imperative."

Beth Stokes, Executive Director of ECS, expressed gratitude for ongoing support: "For many unhoused San Franciscans, the Interfaith Winter Shelter is a sanctuary... We are deeply grateful to our partners at the San Francisco Interfaith Council and the City of San Francisco."

Mary Ellen Carroll from the Department of Emergency Management noted that expanded winter shelters provide valuable resources: "Our street conditions outreach teams work very hard day in and day out to help people living on our streets access shelter."

The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to address homelessness during challenging winter months.