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Mayor backs exploring lottery system and expanded services to reduce shelter-line waits for seniors and disabled
Summary
Mayor Ed Lee said his office and Human Services Agency are exploring a lottery-based shelter reservation system to reduce overnight lines and protect seniors and people with disabilities, and directed staff to work on increasing housing placements and on-site services.
In response to questions from supervisors about long lines at shelter reservation centers and difficulties faced by seniors and people with disabilities, Mayor Ed Lee told the board he supports exploring alternatives to line-based shelter access, including a lottery system accessible by phone, 311 or text messaging.
Supervisor Jane Kim described testimony at a Rules Committee hearing in which seniors and disabled constituents reported standing in line starting as early as 3 a.m., safety concerns and frequent single-night placements. Mayor Lee noted the city provides emergency shelter to about 1,100 single adults per night and said, “a lottery based system would negate the need for anyone to stand in line and would reduce the burden on people with disabilities.” He said his staff, led by Bevan Dufty, was working with the Human Services Agency (HSA), the Department of Public Health (DPH), advocates and providers on options and that a lottery system could be accessed via 311 or text technology.
Lee also said he has directed staff to work with HSA, DPH, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and other partners to increase housing placements, health services and employment supports for those in shelters. He emphasized that the city’s top priority remains permanent housing and cited a cumulative figure — "since January 2004, a total of 15,221 homeless people have left the streets or shelter system for permanent housing" — as evidence of long-term placement progress.
Why it matters: Supervisors and advocates said seniors and people with disabilities face disproportionate obstacles under the current line-based reservation system; the board and mayor signaled support for system redesign and for capital and service improvements to shelters to improve accessibility.
What happens next: Mayor’s staff and HSA were directed to examine a lottery model and other alternatives and to coordinate with DPH on medical assessments to better tailor services for shelter residents; no formal rule change was adopted at the meeting.
