Mayor Breed, state lawmakers open 200‑bed navigation center, call for more housing

Mayor London Breed and state and local officials used a government‑television event recorded after the Building Inspection Commission meeting to announce the opening of a new 200‑bed navigation center in San Francisco and to underscore the need for more permanent housing.

What happened: "We have a real problem around homelessness," Mayor Breed said, framing navigation centers as part of a broader strategy to move people off the streets and into housing. The mayor said the city is progressing toward her goal of 1,000 shelter beds by 2020 and that the new facility increases the city’s current count of shelter beds ("This brings us to 566"). She thanked state lawmakers, local partners and nonprofit operator 5 Keys.

State role and funding: State Senator Scott Wiener said state legislation has sought to streamline construction of navigation centers and urged broader housing production to address the crisis. Assemblymember Phil Ting cited state funding that supported the project, saying "$4,000,000 state dollars went into helping this particular navigation center get built" and that the state has invested more than $70,000,000 into San Francisco’s general fund for homelessness efforts over the prior two years.

Local perspective: Supervisor Matt Haney and neighborhood resident Matt Carson praised the center as an additional entry point to services and permanent housing. Haney noted commitments to neighborhood safety and case management. The mayor thanked the Port of San Francisco and cited plans for a tour of the facility for officials and media.

What’s next: Officials said the navigation center will provide services and case management and be paired with housing efforts to reduce returns to homelessness. A facility tour led by Jeff Kaczynski and Steve Good was announced for interested officials and attendees.