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Homelessness

Community Voice

Homelessness services and encampments

Homelessness is tied as a top voter concern. The city reports unsheltered homelessness at multi-year lows, reduced encampments, and investments in shelter, treatment, prevention, and subsidies funded heavily by Prop C. High inflow, rising family and youth homelessness, and links to behavioral health persist. Budget debates center on HSH funding, temporary shelter versus permanent housing, outcomes-based contracting, and protecting services amid federal cuts, with Lurie emphasizing treatment and accountability via Breaking the Cycle.

What approach should San Francisco take on homelessness and encampments?

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Sources

Mayor Lurie / SF.gov — https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-presents-responsible-budget-strengthening-social-safety-net-in-response-to-significant-federal-cuts-advancing-san-franciscos-economic-recovery
The city claims progress, including unsheltered homelessness at multi-year lows, reduced encampments, and investments in shelter, treatment beds, family/youth services, prevention, and subsidies (drawing heavily on Prop C / “Our City, Our Home” business tax funds).
Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing — https://www.sf.gov/reports-hsh-budget-fiscal-year-2026-2028
Budget fights focus on the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) funding levels, shifts between temporary shelter/treatment vs. permanent supportive housing, outcomes-based contracting, and protecting services amid cuts or federal/state reductions.
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Expand permanent supportive housing and prevention with no enforcement of camping bans
  2. Increase shelter, treatment beds, and Prop C spending while offering housing first options
  3. Maintain current mix of shelter, subsidies, and targeted clearance of high-impact encampments
  4. Prioritize treatment mandates, accountability, and faster encampment clearance with services
  5. Focus on strict anti-camping enforcement and reduced spending on indefinite housing subsidies