Committee advances modified homeless oversight proposal but requires second hearing

Supervisor Matt Haney introduced a charter amendment to create a Homelessness Oversight Commission to provide formal oversight of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, including authority over policy, budgets and some contracts. Haney argued nearly every other large city department has a charter commission and that HSH needs a public venue for accountability, performance audits and timely decision-making.

The sponsor presented a revised draft that reduced certain commission powers (removing approval of Shelter Crisis Ordinance procurements), specified appointment shares among mayor, Board and controller, and provided that existing advisory bodies would report to the new commission. Haney said the appointment structure would include people with lived experience and provider expertise.

HSH Director Jeff Kaczynski said the department is not opposed to accountability but raised implementation concerns, including whether a charter amendment (as opposed to an ordinance) is the right legal vehicle given the need for flexibility; he noted certain approvals could add roughly six weeks to contract timelines. Dozens of speakers — providers, advocates and people with lived experience — generally supported the commission for transparency and oversight. Other witnesses, including the Chamber of Commerce and some business and civic groups, warned the commission could add bureaucracy and cost and urged exploring an ordinance alternative.

Deputy City Attorney John Givner advised that amendments to charter ballot measures require an additional hearing in the same committee; the committee therefore continued the item to July 15 for the required second hearing. Members said the changes were intended to balance accountability with operational flexibility and to incorporate feedback from HSH and the mayor's office.