The recent meeting of the San Francisco City Council focused on several key initiatives aimed at addressing the city's housing and shelter challenges. A significant highlight was the report on the current occupancy rate within the city's housing portfolio, which stands at 9.5%. The executive team is optimistic about reducing this rate to below 7%, ideally reaching 6% within the next 120 days. Various strategies are being implemented to achieve this goal, including the expansion of the "Street to Home" program and other measures to expedite housing referrals.

Additionally, the council discussed the coroner's hold process, which allows families to claim belongings of deceased individuals. There was a request for further investigation into the timeline of this process, which is currently set at approximately 30 days. The council acknowledged the need for potential improvements to expedite this procedure.

In terms of shelter services, the city has launched a domestic violence hotel voucher program and a new placement initiative aimed at assisting individuals transitioning out of homelessness. Although the program is still in its early stages and has not yet received referrals, training for partner city departments is underway. The adult shelter reservation system is operational, with an average of two placements occurring each weekday and a current waitlist of 377 individuals, reflecting a decrease from the previous month.

The meeting also touched on the city's shelter capacity, which currently stands at 3,117 beds with a 91% occupancy rate. Plans are in place to increase shelter capacity to pre-COVID levels as winter approaches.

Overall, the discussions highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to improve housing stability and shelter services, with a commitment to report back on progress in the coming months.