San Francisco committee hears concerns over 90‑day family shelter policy, delays final action

SAN FRANCISCO — The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on April 17 took up a resolution urging the mayor to rescind or substantially reform the city’s 90‑day family shelter length‑of‑stay policy, heard a presentation from the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) on recent reforms and investments, received extensive public comment from parents and service providers, and voted 2‑1 to continue the item to the call of the chair.

The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Jackie Fielder, asked the mayor to withdraw or “drastically reform” the policy and direct HSH to work with the Board of Supervisors to develop reforms. HSH officials said the policy was paired with a new $50 million “Safer Families” investment that they say expands shelter and housing options and that the policy includes a clear and flexible extension process.

Emily Cohen, deputy director at the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, told the committee HSH implemented three linked reforms in December 2024: reinstating a 90‑day length of stay, creating clear criteria and prioritization for the family shelter wait list, and formalizing an extensions process. “While there is a length of stay policy, there’s also a very clear and generous extension process,” Cohen said, adding that “there is no limit to the number of extensions that can be authorized by the department in collaboration with the provider.”

Cohen described the city’s shelter and housing inventory for families:…