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Council member Rivera outlines school coordination and overnight-security amendments to shelter bill
Summary
Council member Rivera described two amendments to pending shelter legislation: one directing city departments and providers to coordinate with schools when shelters are near schools, and another encouraging non-prescriptive overnight security to help shelters succeed.
At the May 18 briefing Council member Rivera previewed two amendments she plans to bring to the shelter legislation before full council. Rivera said one amendment clarifies that, while state law constrains restrictions on shelters near schools, city staff (SDCI and HSD) and providers should work with affected schools to identify and implement reasonable safety measures so shelters can “be set up for success.”
Rivera described a second amendment that would require providers to include overnight security where appropriate. She emphasized the change is not prescriptive about vendor type or exact hours: "It's not meant to be prescriptive, but it is meant to be supportive and, again, make sure that we're setting up these tiny house villages for success," Rivera said.
Rivera told colleagues the amendments came after consultation with providers and that supporters reported benefits from overnight security, including fewer 911 calls and reduced incidents. She said the amendments are designed to support residents, staff and neighboring communities rather than to create blanket prohibitions.
Council discussion included clarifying questions on whether the security requirement applied only to shelters or also to permanent supportive housing and multifamily buildings; Rivera replied the proposals were designed to be flexible and to reflect provider practices.
No final vote on the amendments occurred at the briefing; Rivera said she hopes colleagues will support the measures at full council.
