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Board approves new standards of care for city shelters and strengthens monitoring
Summary
The Board passed an ordinance establishing standards of care for city-run shelters, direction for the Shelter Monitoring Committee, and measures to improve reservation, orientation, and case-management services.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on first reading to approve an ordinance establishing standards of care for city shelters, clarifying shelter powers and duties and strengthening the Shelter Monitoring Committee’s oversight authority.
Supervisor Eric Mar introduced the legislation, which he said was the product of work with the Human Services Agency, Department of Public Health, shelter providers, advocates and the Shelter Monitoring Committee. The ordinance seeks to improve health and safety conditions at city‑run shelters and to simplify the bed reservation system.
Key elements in the ordinance require certain shelters to increase on-site reservation capacity, improve staff training on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, provide orientation for new shelter clients, offer case management to clients most in need, and comply with recently passed shelter smoking prohibitions. The Shelter Monitoring Committee is required to monitor unaccepted shelter bed reservations, report findings to designated entities, and may initiate investigations into alleged contractual violations.
Supervisor Mar said the ordinance had wide input from the Human Services Agency, Local Homeless Coordinating Board, and nonprofit service providers. “This legislation will increase city services at city run shelters, including increasing on-site reservation capacity at certain shelters and improving training to shelter staff on ADA laws,” he said.
A roll-call vote recorded 11 ayes; the ordinance passed its first reading.
