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Supervisors urge governor to declare statewide homelessness emergency; new director outlines priorities
Summary
The committee advanced a resolution asking the governor to declare a state of emergency on homelessness. Incoming department director Jeff Kinsinski outlined an initial 90–120 day planning horizon and the mayor's target of housing 8,000 people during the term; advocates called for more state funding and immediate action.
On May 12 the committee advanced a resolution urging the governor to declare a statewide emergency on homelessness to coordinate resources across counties and to provide additional state funding to cities and counties.
Chair Supervisor Jane Kim framed the resolution as a request for state coordination and resources, noting that many people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco became homeless locally and that statewide support can help cities provide immediate and long‑term solutions. Jeff Kinsinski, named by the mayor as director of a new Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, said he will begin his new role June 1 and described a near‑term plan to convene stakeholders and develop a unified navigation system for people who are homeless. He cited the mayor’s goal to house 8,000 people during the mayor’s final term and said he will seek a strategy within his first 90–120 days.
Public and nonprofit witnesses — including the Coalition on Homelessness and United Educators of San Francisco — urged the city to press the state for more funding and for policies that expand access to affordable housing. Emily Cohen (deputy director, office referenced in testimony) summarized statewide counts and comparative city increases, and cited research showing California carries a disproportionate share of unsheltered homelessness.
After public comment from advocates and community members, the committee voted to recommend the resolution forward. Chair Kim later asked permission to amend certain wording in item 6 on the record to reflect requested technical edits from the incoming department director; the committee accepted the amendments and recommended the item as amended to the board.
