San Francisco's HSH unveils five-year plan to combat homelessness and improve contracting

The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, spotlighted the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) as it unveiled its ambitious five-year strategic plan, "Home by the Bay." This plan aims to tackle the city's homelessness crisis, which remains a pressing concern for residents. HSH's goals include reducing overall homelessness by 15% and halving the unsheltered population, while also addressing racial inequities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

During the meeting, officials acknowledged the challenges HSH has faced since its formation in 2016, including the pandemic and a surge in demand for services. Despite significant accomplishments, such as providing shelter for 15,000 individuals nightly and assisting 8,000 households in exiting homelessness, public perception remains clouded by the visible presence of chronically homeless individuals on the streets.

The civil grand jury's report emphasized the need for improved contracting practices within HSH, highlighting that inconsistent metrics hinder the evaluation of program effectiveness. The jury's findings pointed to the necessity of standardizing performance measures across contracts to enhance accountability and service delivery. HSH officials agreed with these findings and committed to developing a comprehensive performance measurement plan aligned with their strategic goals.

A key discussion point was the ongoing use of sole-source contracting authority, which allows HSH to bypass competitive bidding. While this approach has facilitated rapid service delivery, concerns were raised about its impact on securing the best value for taxpayer funds. The meeting underscored the importance of refining contracting practices to ensure effective use of resources and better outcomes for the homeless population.

As the city moves forward, the collaboration between HSH and the civil grand jury aims to establish a framework for improved performance monitoring and transparency. The anticipated legislation to standardize contracting processes is seen as a crucial step in addressing the homelessness crisis and ensuring that the needs of all subpopulations are met effectively. The meeting concluded with a call for continued focus on these reforms, emphasizing their significance for the future of San Francisco's homeless services.