Supervisors request hearing on women’s safety in homeless encampments; seek options including women‑only sites

Supervisor Jane Kim introduced a hearing request on June 6 to examine the experiences of women living in homeless encampments and to explore targeted responses, including the possibility of a women‑only safe camping site or a navigation center designed specifically for women.

Kim said her recent visits to encampments showed a large number of women, many with histories of sexual or domestic violence, living in insecure conditions. She cited national research and local service‑provider observations documenting that a large share of homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse before or during episodes of homelessness. Kim said the goal of the hearing is to bring domestic‑violence and sexual‑assault stakeholders into the conversation — groups she said have been underrepresented in past encampment policy discussions — and to explore concrete options for safer alternatives.

Supervisor Katie Tang, Supervisor Ahsha Safaie, Supervisor Matt Haney and others signed on as cosponsors. Supervisor Ronan noted the importance of translating hearings into placements and services; he referenced ongoing work to open temporary navigation centers in his district.

Nut graf: The hearing request signals a shift toward gender‑specific approaches in the city’s response to unsheltered homelessness. Sponsors said the review should focus on safety, trauma‑informed care and measurable pathways off the street rather than ad hoc responses.

Next steps: The board anticipated scheduling the hearing and inviting survivors, domestic‑violence service providers, public‑health and shelter operators, and navigation‑center staff to advise on policy options and operational requirements.

Ending: The hearing request does not create immediate new programs but establishes a board‑level inquiry intended to surface policy options and operational designs for protecting women in unsheltered settings.