City health department outlines Hummingbird respite plan for 1156 Valencia

Kelly Hiramoto, special projects director for the Department of Public Health, presented a plan to open a Hummingbird respite at 1156 Valencia Street to serve people experiencing homelessness with behavioral-health diagnoses. The proposed program would operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, offer 30 overnight beds and up to 25 day drop-in slots, and use a low-barrier model that allows clients to bring partners, pets and belongings.

Hiramoto said referrals would prioritize the Mission/Upper Market and Dolores Park corridors and come from encampment outreach teams, psychiatric emergency services, and community providers. The Department is partnering with PRC Baker Place, Progress Foundation, the Salvation Army and other local providers to provide treatment linkages and warm handoffs. Hiramoto described outcomes from the existing Hummingbird at Potrero (average stay about 17 days; many clients do not return to psychiatric emergency services within 30 days) as supporting expansion.

Bridal Andrews, CEO of PRC (presentation transcript), described PRCs continuum of care, including detox and residential treatment beds, and endorsed the proposed expansion. DPH said it held two community meetings (Feb. 10 and Feb. 27) and committed to ongoing neighborhood engagement and a six-month post-opening community meeting.

Public comment on the Hummingbird item included multiple providers and neighbors who voiced support for the proposal on the basis of low-barrier access and the need for more behavioral-health respite beds. DPH told the commission the contract for the Hummingbird program will come back for a vote on March 17 to allow required public notice and to address community input.

No final contract or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the commission will consider contract approval on March 17.