Board approves $978,000 state loan to renovate Jennings Street site for homeless shelter after amendments and split votes

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $978,000 forgivable loan from the State Department of Housing and Community Development to renovate a leased building at 2115 Jennings Street for use as a homeless shelter, after adopting a package of amendments that drew debate over rezoning, proximity to a playground and the role of probation in enforcing state law about registered offenders.

Supervisor Cohen introduced and moved the amendments; Supervisor Breed seconded. The board voted on three separate amendment blocks and then on the underlying resolution. The final vote to adopt the resolution as amended was 9 ayes, 2 noes.

The adopted amendments require the city to pursue a rezoning for the parcel, call for forming a community advisory committee to evaluate on-site security and operations, and request a report back to the Board of Supervisors within one year of the shelter’s opening. One adopted whereas clause restated state law that restricts where registered sex offenders may reside and said adult probation would be responsible for enforcement; the Human Services Agency (HSA) will not conduct prescreening for shelter entry and the board added language…