Supervisors press mayor on restoration of 3‑1‑1 shelter self‑referral process; mayor outlines public‑health‑guided approach

San Francisco supervisors questioned Mayor London Breed on Dec. 7 about reports from service providers that shelter access has become centralized and that the 3‑1‑1 self‑referral process for congregate shelter beds was not functioning as before the pandemic.

Supervisor Safaei said community groups reported people in need being turned away while shelters reported empty beds; she asked whether the mayor would prioritize a timeline for resolving technical difficulties after the city's migration away from the HMIS system so 3‑1‑1 shelter self‑referral could be restored for congregate and winter shelters.

Mayor Breed described the city’s pandemic response: early reduction of shelter capacity, rapid opening of hotels to reduce COVID spread, and a vaccination outreach program for people experiencing homelessness. She said the city and the Department of Public Health do not recommend restricting shelter access based on testing requirements and said the current placement system prioritizes the most at‑risk individuals. Breed said people can self‑refer to shelter by calling the “hot team” and that people are doing so daily.

Breed also said the Department of Public Health follows state guidance on testing and screening for shelters, and that the mayor’s office is open to further discussions on how to expand capacity and keep residents safe. She did not provide a specific technical timeline for restoring the older 3‑1‑1 workflow; supervisors asked follow‑up questions to press for expedited restoration and clarity on how nonprofits can connect people to beds while the city migrates systems.

No formal action was taken; the exchange was part of a mayoral question‑and‑answer special order.