Rules Committee continues consideration of Homelessness Oversight Commission Seat 6

At its July Rules Committee meeting, the committee voted to continue consideration of the appointment to Seat 6 on the Homelessness Oversight Commission to the call of the chair.

Kristen Evans, who identified herself as the current Seat 6 commissioner, addressed the committee and asked to be reappointed. She summarized her work on the commission and advocacy on housing-first approaches, citing Proposition C ("Our City, Our Home," 2018) as central to funding permanent supportive housing. Evans told the committee that voters approved Prop C and that it has helped "over 5,000 people including 1,700 children" obtain housing; she also said "96% of households placed in permanent supportive housing have stayed housed." She argued against a shelter-only strategy and urged prioritizing prevention, affordable housing and placement into permanent supportive housing rather than expanded congregate shelter.

Public commenters and commissioners echoed the importance of the seat's advocacy focus. Former Supervisor Bevan Dufty (speaking as a member of the public) described the commission's bipartisan work and praised Evans's efforts. Commissioner Guerrero, who holds the lived-experience seat on the Homelessness Oversight Commission, said Evans is "the most active, trusted, and effective member" of the commission and warned that removing her would increase public pressure on supervisors.

After public comment, the committee approved a motion to continue the item to the call of the chair. Vice Chair Cheryl (Cheryl) and President Rafael Mandelman voted "aye" along with Chair Shamann Walton; the motion passed without objection.

The committee record indicates that Commissioner Evans's term had expired and that she did not submit an application for reappointment prior to the meeting, which the chair read into the record while opening the item. The committee did not take a final appointment vote at this meeting.