This ordinance aims to ensure fair distribution of homeless shelters and behavioral health facilities by preventing new City-funded ones from being placed in neighborhoods that already have a higher proportion of such services compared to their unsheltered population. It also prohibits new shelters from being located within 300 feet of existing ones, though the Board of Supervisors can waive these rules if deemed beneficial for the public.
Ordinance amending the Administrative Code to promote equitable access to shelter and behavioral health services by prohibiting the City from siting a new, City-funded homeless shelter, transitional housing facility, or certain behavioral health residential care and treatment facilities (collectively, “Covered Facilities”) in a neighborhood where the neighborhood’s share of the City’s shelter and transitional housing beds exceeds the neighborhood’s share of the City’s unsheltered persons, and prohibiting the City from siting a new City-funded homeless shelter within 300 feet of an existing homeless shelter; and authorizing the Board of Supervisors to waive these prohibitions upon a finding that approving the Covered Facility or homeless shelter at the proposed location is in the public interest; and providing that this ordinance shall sunset on December 31, 2031.
How it got here
The legislation originated from a need to address the inequitable distribution of homeless shelters and behavioral health services across San Francisco.
The Board of Supervisors introduced an ordinance to amend the Administrative Code, requiring the City to approve one new homeless shelter or behavioral health facility in each supervisorial district by June 30, 2026.
The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing was notified to prepare for the ordinance's implications on shelter and behavioral health services.
The Budget and Finance Committee amended the ordinance to include a prohibition on siting new facilities in neighborhoods with a higher share of shelter beds than unsheltered persons.
The committee further refined the ordinance, including provisions for a 300-foot buffer between new shelters and existing ones, and allowing the Board to waive these requirements.
The Board of Supervisors passed the ordinance on first reading, moving it closer to final approval.
The ordinance was finally passed by the Board of Supervisors, establishing new regulations for the siting of homeless shelters and behavioral health facilities.
The Mayor approved the ordinance, officially enacting the new regulations.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
