Port hears 5-year MOU proposal to continue Central Waterfront Navigation Center at 620 Fifth Street

The Port Commission on April 22 heard an informational presentation on a proposed five‑year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Port of San Francisco and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to continue operations of the Central Waterfront Navigation Center at 620 Fifth Street.

The navigation center, a low‑barrier shelter that opened in May 2017, has capacity for 64 guests and allows pets, partners and possessions to reduce barriers to shelter. Emily Cohen of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing said the site had a 98% occupancy rate on the day of a recent data check and that the operator, Five Keys, provides 24/7 staffing, intake and assessment, case management, two meals a day and on‑site hygiene services.

Port real estate staff explained key MOU terms and site specifics. Kimberly Beal, Assistant Deputy Director for Real Estate, said the proposed agreement would cover approximately 13,400 square feet of paved street, run for five years, carry rent “a little under $7,400 per month” with annual escalations, and allocate 6.5% of revenues from the site to the Southern Waterfront Beautification Fund — roughly $29,000 over the term as described in the presentation. The location was enabled previously by a temporary street‑vacation ordinance; staff said the street vacation would end on the earliest of removal of the center, expiration of the lease or revocation of the MOU, or if HSH and Public Works determine an equivalent number of permanent shelter beds are available elsewhere.

Commissioners asked about the facility’s physical condition, capital needs, program outcomes and client length of stay. Emily Cohen said the eight‑year old facility receives regular maintenance from city facilities staff and that the department does not anticipate significant capital work in the next five years. She said program monitoring found the operator met or exceeded contract objectives, including offering intake and assessment to 100% of guests and providing referrals for problem solving or coordinated entry within one week for 100% of guests. On length of stay, staff said the average time people spend in the city’s adult shelter system has increased since the pandemic and is approximately six months on average; the system previously used a 90‑day length‑of‑stay policy pre‑COVID.

Vice President Gail Gilman asked the department to prioritize placements of people experiencing homelessness who are connected to District 10; staff confirmed district‑focused outreach teams are the primary source of placements for this site. Commissioners also asked staff to follow up with the Southern Waterfront Advisory Committee about the MOU timeline and confirmed that the executive director has delegated authority to sign the agreement; staff said they would solicit SAC comments and report back.

Because the presentation was informational, the commission did not take a vote on the MOU at the meeting. Staff noted the Port retains the ability to terminate the MOU for a public‑trust purpose with six months’ notice.

The presentation packet included a unanimous letter of support from the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association, and commissioners repeatedly cited the site’s role in temporarily sheltering people while the city pursues more permanent housing.

The commission did not adopt any action on the MOU at the meeting; staff said they will return to report on any substantive comments from advisory committees or neighbors.