San Francisco Facing Allegations for Homeless Encampments Sweeps

A judge has temporarily banned San Francisco police from clearing most homeless encampments, citing people for sleeping in public, or enforcing several other laws aimed at homeless people while a federal lawsuit against the city moves forward.  In the 50-page preliminary injunction order, homeless advocates have found that San Francisco does not have enough available shelter beds to serve the city’s unhoused population. 

 According to the 2022 San Francisco Homeless Count there were 7,754 homeless people living in the city in February 2022, compared to 5,080 shelter beds at last count in 2021 — a shortage of 2,674 beds. The count is likely lower than the actual number of unhoused people in the city, making the bed shortage potentially higher than reported.

 The lawsuit has put Mayor Breed and her administration in a tough spot as residents and businesses are pressuring the city to clean up encampments.  Advocates behind the lawsuit want San Francisco to move resources from encampment sweeps to affordable housing and other initiatives to create additional housing opportunities.  To read the full article please click here or contact Crisand Giles at HomeAid Northern California for additional information.