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Board urges city to create safe sleeping sites for people living outdoors; resolution adopted unanimously
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution urging the city to establish temporary safe sleeping sites to expand social distancing, improve sanitation and reduce COVID-19 spread among people sleeping outdoors. Supervisors and several public speakers urged priority use of hotels and services for unsheltered residents.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on teleconference unanimously adopted a resolution urging the city to establish safe sleeping sites for people who are unsheltered, a measure supporters said would improve social distancing and sanitation and reduce COVID-19 transmission among a vulnerable population.
The resolution 2D introduced by Supervisor Matt Mandelmann and cosponsored by multiple colleagues 2D calls on city departments to create supervised, staffed sites that provide space for tents or other sleeping arrangements, hygiene facilities and access to services. Supervisors and public speakers described the sites as a compliment to efforts to place the highest-risk people into hotel rooms, not a substitute.
Supervisor Dean Preston, who thanked Mandelmann for bringing the item forward, said the city has tens of thousands of empty hotel rooms but has been slow to house unsheltered residents; he said safe sleeping areas are a needed complementary tool while moving people into individual rooms remains a priority. Several supervisors said they were working with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and other departments on possible locations and operational models.
Public commenters representing neighborhood groups, housing advocates and service organizations supported the resolution and urged the city to place safe sleeping sites in locations that minimize impact on nearby residents and provide regular sanitation, staffing and medical support.
The roll-call vote recorded 11 ayes and the resolution was adopted without objection.
The resolution does not itself appropriate funds or identify specific sites; rather it urges city agencies to prioritize planning and implementation and to report back on details, including staffing, sanitation and linkages to hotel and shelter placements.
Speakers emphasized that sites should not be permanent encampments but temporary, staffed, hygienic locations that allow social distancing and connection to services during the public-health emergency.
Sources: Board discussion and vote on Item 20, San Francisco Board of Supervisors teleconference.
