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Board approves $4 million increase to Mid‑Market/Tenderloin community‑safety grant after budget concerns
Summary
The board voted 10–1 to approve a $4 million amendment increasing the Mid‑Market Tenderloin Community Based Safety Program grant to roughly $68.8 million through June 30, 2025; Supervisor Chan voted no and urged fiscal caution.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Feb. 25 approved a sixth amendment to a grant agreement with the Mid Market Foundation increasing funding for the Mid Market/Tenderloin Community Based Safety Program by $4,000,000, bringing the total grant to approximately $68,800,000 through June 30, 2025. The resolution passed 10–1, with Supervisor Chan casting the lone vote against the increase.
Why it matters: The grant supports community ambassadors and other safety programming in Mid‑Market and the Tenderloin. Supporters said the program complements law enforcement, helps reduce crime and drug activity, and provides jobs and services that city departments cannot substitute. Opponents warned the city has a large looming budget deficit and demanded accountability and measurable outcomes for large recurring expenditures.
Board discussion: Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, who represents District 5, urged passage and described the community ambassadors as essential neighborhood resources, saying they have connected with people experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental‑health challenges and aided local clean‑up and quality‑of‑life efforts. "These are men and women who were once incarcerated, but have been given a second chance...these ambassador programs...have been shown to reduce crime in areas by as much as 52%, and drug crimes by 80%," Mahmood said, attributing those figures to program evaluations cited in committee discussion.
Supervisor Jackie Chan, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, explained why she opposed the amendment, emphasizing the city’s fiscal pressures and tradeoffs. Chan noted that the $4 million could otherwise support school‑based dental and health services, transitional youth programs, and tenant counseling, and she urged greater scrutiny of large contract renewals.
Vote and effect: The clerk recorded 10 ayes and one no (Supervisor Chan). The resolution was adopted. The amendment extends existing contract authority and funding for the community‑based safety work through June 30, 2025.
