San Francisco's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) is grappling with a significant staffing crisis, as highlighted in a recent government meeting. Despite a budget that has tripled, the department faces a staggering turnover rate of 20 to 23% annually, with exit interviews revealing unsustainable workloads as the primary reason for staff departures.

In the past year, HSH has made 96 new hires but lost 56 employees, indicating that for every two staff members brought on board, one leaves. The proposed budget aims to address this issue by authorizing 13 new positions over the next two years, although the financial impact is limited to $600,000, which will be absorbed through non-general fund sources and attrition savings.

The meeting also unveiled HSH's ambitious five-year strategic plan, which sets forth critical goals to combat homelessness in San Francisco. These include a 50% reduction in unsheltered homelessness and a 15% overall reduction in homelessness, alongside efforts to support 30,000 individuals in securing stable housing. The plan emphasizes the importance of racial equity, aiming to provide prevention services to at least 18,000 people.

Budget investments are already making strides toward these goals, with funding allocated for 1,650 prevention slots and nearly 600 new shelter beds. HSH is committed to tracking its performance through a comprehensive plan that will measure progress against these targets, including metrics on service delivery times and housing placements.

As HSH continues to navigate staffing challenges and ambitious goals, the department is implementing new internal programs and professional development strategies to improve retention and equip staff for the critical work ahead. The urgency of these discussions underscores the city's ongoing struggle to effectively address homelessness while ensuring that its workforce is adequately supported.