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Board advances ordinance to make Homeward Bound program permanent
Summary
The Board of Supervisors passed on first reading an ordinance to establish a permanent Homeward Bound program administered by the Human Services Agency and Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, expanding eligibility and adding reporting requirements.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed on first reading an ordinance on March 19 to codify and expand the Homeward Bound program, a travel-and-relocation service that helps people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness reunify with family or supportive contacts in other jurisdictions.
Supervisor Ahsha Safaíe, sponsor of the ordinance, said the program began in February 2005 under then-mayor Gavin Newsom and served more than 11,000 people through about 2019. Safaíe told the board the program had declined in recent years and the ordinance would “codify this program, to elevate this program,” add accountability and reporting, and broaden eligibility to include people in shelters and those in permanent supportive housing. He said departments plan staff training and outreach to restore service levels to prior levels; he said the program served “just over 300 people” last year and that the aim is to increase that to about 1,000 annually.
The ordinance was described in a Rules Committee report as establishing a permanent program administered by the Human Services Agency and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to provide paid travel and relocation support to qualifying individuals. Safaíe said the board amended the measure in committee to limit the time use of funds to two years in order to allow follow-up support and reintegration efforts.
Why it matters: the Homeward Bound program provides direct relocation assistance intended to reunify San Franciscans with existing social supports elsewhere. The ordinance places the program in the administrative code, directs interagency administration and requires annual reporting to the board, creating a formal accountability structure.
What the board decided: the ordinance passed on first reading; departmental plans to expand outreach and training were described in committee and referenced during the floor remarks. The measure will return for final action at a subsequent meeting.
Provenance: Supervisor Safaíe’s remarks and the Rules Committee description appear in the March 19 transcript and committee report readout.
