Hoarding Behavior Program urges restoration after 21% cut, cites housing and fire risks

SAN FRANCISCO — During general public comment at the DAS commission meeting on July 2, Elizabeth Barr of the Mental Health Association of San Francisco spoke about a recent funding cut to the agency’s Hoarding Behavior Program and urged that the department consider restoring some of the lost dollars.

Barr told commissioners the program received a 21% reduction in funding and that her agency would like to bid for reallocated HomeSafe funds if they become available. "One of the purposes for the hoarding behavior program is that it preserves people's housing," Barr said, noting that hoarding behaviors can lead to lease violations and eviction. She said her program specializes in interventions that help people keep housing and also address public‑health risks such as fire and pests.

Barr added personal context: she identified herself as someone who has hoarding behavior and said she is now in recovery. She cited program statistics presented to the commission: she said 25% of low‑income seniors in supportive housing have hoarding behavior and described research linking hoarding to increased fire risk. She asked the commission to consider restoring at least part of the cut.

Why it matters: Cutting specialized services that focus on hoarding behavior can increase eviction risk and emergency responses; the commenter urged DAS to prioritize programs that help residents remain housed and safe.

Provenance: Barr presented her comments during the general public comment period and attributed the cut and program outcomes to her agency’s recent experience.