San Francisco supervisors press HSH on 90‑day family shelter rule after packed public hearing

San Francisco supervisors and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) spent more than two hours April 17 debating a reinstated 90‑day length‑of‑stay policy for family shelters amid intense public comment from families and service providers.

"Item number 1 is a resolution urging the mayor to rescind or drastically reform the family shelter length of stay policy," Supervisor Jackie Fielder, chair of the Government Audit and Oversight Committee, said as the hearing opened. The committee later voted to continue consideration of the resolution to the call of the chair after extended public comment and questioning.

The hearing focused on departmental reforms HSH implemented in December 2024. Emily Cohen, deputy director for communications and legislative affairs at HSH, told the committee the policy is intended to increase movement through shelters while protecting families who are engaged with case management. "There is a length of stay policy, there is also a very clear and generous extension process, and if families are engaged with their case management services, they will be extended," Cohen said.

Cohen and Maryann Sanders, chief deputy director of programs for HSH, outlined the department's rationale and data. They described HSH's inventory for families as roughly 315 beds in…