Latino homeless families are celebrating a major $30 million win for emergency rent vouchers and extended shelter stays — a victory they helped secure alongside Supervisor Jackie Fielder, who announced the new investments today.
“We’re very happy because we need the rent subsidies, we need to be safe,” said Brenda Córdoba, leader of the homeless nonprofit Faith in Action Bay Area. But, she added, the work continues: “There are 3,000 homeless children in San Francisco.”
The new funds come after months of organizing by families and advocates, and include:
- 125 new rent subsidies for homeless families
- A revised Length of Stay policy that extends how long families can remain in shelters
- A grievance and appeal process for families denied shelter extensions
“This is a huge win,” said Mission District shelter worker Jaqui Portillo. “The fact that the extensions could be limitless if families have housing barriers gives families much more stability and much less stress.”
Supervisor Fielder introduced the counterproposal after the Mayor’s Office had moved to reallocate $88 million from family homelessness services to adult shelter and hygiene. Her plan restored $30 million for families and transitional-age youth, plus $9 million for homeless adults.
“This win would not have happened without homeless families coming to City Hall themselves to tell their stories and organizing the community,” Fielder said in a statement. “It’s been a priority of mine to end family homelessness in San Francisco, and I know that with these families at the helm, we are well on our way.”
Previously, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) limited shelter stays for families to 90 days, with optional 30-day extensions. Medical professionals and SFUSD staff raised alarms about the toll that constant shelter eviction notices were having on children and their parents
Fielder responded by introducing legislation requiring a one-year minimum stay for families with no housing exit, prompting a citywide policy overhaul.
Under the new policy, expected to take effect in October:
- Families can receive an initial 90-day stay, with an automatic 90-day extension
- Additional 90-day renewals must be granted by HSH, with a right to appeal if denied
But the struggle continues.
Veronica Coto, a mother and recent stroke survivor, said that when her son Gabriel turned 18, the city moved to separate them, assigning him to an adult shelter while asking her to leave Rafael House. Rather than be split up, they are currently homeless.
“We’re happy that the Mayor’s Office reversed the shelter eviction policy and added critical funding,” Coto said. “We’re going to continue insisting on housing for our families.”
Faith in Action will host a victory party this Friday at 2 p.m. at their San Francisco headquarters, 1950 Mission St.