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Board backs expansion of Buena Vista Horace Mann stay‑over pilot to serve SFUSD families
Summary
The board voted to expand a Buena Vista Horace Mann stay‑over shelter pilot to serve SFUSD families districtwide through the MOU's term, after social workers and shelter partners outlined a referral-based operation and advocates urged broader use for homeless students and their families.
The San Francisco Board of Education on March 12 approved expanding a stay‑over shelter pilot at Buena Vista Horace Mann K–8 to serve SFUSD families districtwide through the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU), which runs through June 30, 2019.
Nick Chandler, a Buena Vista social worker, described a pilot that coordinates with city access points and Dolores Street Community Services to provide a temporary safe place, food and navigation to housing services for families identified as imminently homeless. "This partnership has showed us that we have a lot of work to do between the city and the school district on how to address these needs," Chandler said during public comment.
Some community members raised concerns about process and asked for more local engagement before expansion. Principal leaders and shelter operators said intake is referral‑based (families are vetted through access points and social workers) and not a walk‑in model; Dolores Street representative Saul Hidalgo said the collaborative has capacity and urged expansion given high need in the city.
Board members praised the school and social‑work staff for the pilot. Commissioner Maliga and Commissioner Sanchez expressed strong support, calling the pilot "a slam dunk" and "trailblazing." The board approved the expansion by roll call (transcript records seven ayes).
What’s next: The MOU extension runs through June 30, 2019; any longer-term continuation will require a future superintendent recommendation and board action. Staff and partners committed to provide data and ongoing community engagement as the pilot is scaled.
