Wednesday, the San Francisco Mayor’s Office released new data on the effort to address the homelessness crisis, suggesting the city is on the right track.
Over the years homelessness has been one of San Francisco’s most persistent issues. New quarterly data was released, showing a drop in the number of people without shelter.
“We are getting more people off the streets and into shelter, treatment and housing, tent encampments are at record lows for the third straight quarter down 37% from a year ago, RV’s on our street are at record lows since 2019 when the count began,” Chief of Health and Human Services in the Mayor’s Office Kunal Modi said.
The total number of vehicles being used as homes was 435 for February, 259 of those were permitted large vehicles. Tents and structures were at 155 for February, down from 162 the previous quarter. Leaders point out to city departments working together.
“To use every tool that is at our disposal, so that we can actually support those who are in crisis, support our neighborhoods who are asking solutions and move people off the streets indoors more effectively,”
There are also new efforts to help people in crisis get indoors and into care or treatment.
Mayor Lurie’s Office shared a video statement sharing some of the data. He talked about getting more people out RVs and into stable housing, adding they’ve made reforms to the journey home program that are paying off.
Jennifer Friedenbach with the Coalition on Homelessness sees it his way.
“The focus on tents and RV’s is basically the focus on the visible signs of poverty and homelessness,” Friedenbach said. “We think the focus should be on getting people out of homelessness.”