Supervisors continue budget hearing after housing presentations, pledge follow-up on Pier 94 and Prop I spending

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Budget and Appropriation Committee on May 10 heard presentations from the Department of Disability and Aging Services, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, and the Council of Community Housing Organizations/Housing Stability Fund Oversight Board on housing-related spending and needs. Chair Supervisor Connie Chan convened the hybrid meeting and framed the discussion as a review of last fiscal year spending to inform upcoming budget choices.

Susie Smith, deputy director for policy, planning and public affairs at the San Francisco Human Services Agency, said the Department of Disability and Aging Services budgeted about $10.2 million for housing-related resources in FY23, singling out a $4.8 million rental subsidy program that serves roughly 380 older adults and people with disabilities and a scattered-site program budgeted at $3.2 million serving about 110 people. Gigi Whitley, deputy director for administration and finance at the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, summarized HSH’s portfolio and noted an adopted department budget of roughly $672 million, with about 11,000 permanent supportive housing units in the city’s system and programs that prioritize both shelter and long-term housing stability.

Benjamin McCloskey, MOHCD deputy director for finance and administration, described MOHCD’s department-phase operating budget snapshot (~$183 million proposed), funding sources (housing trust fund, work orders, developer contributions and other sources) and program deployment, including approximately $91 million available in the small-sites preservation program with roughly $46 million queued for loans. Leigh Levitt and Shanti Singh presented the Housing Stability Fund Oversight Board’s recommendations, including an $85 million combined request across land acquisition, capital for new construction, building upgrades, senior operating subsidies and innovation funding.

Supervisors pressed departments for more detail on how funds overlap across programs, how Prop I revenues have been requested or used, and for concrete plans for the Pier 94 wind-down. HSH deputy director Emily Cohen said outreach and eligibility assessments are underway at Pier 94 and that roughly 70 residents had been deemed eligible for housing; she said the department has requested a Port Commission extension for an orderly wind-down and that offers of shelter or housing would be made to residents. Supervisors — most vocally Supervisor Shamon Walton — said they remain skeptical and demanded written placement plans and clearer commitments.

Chair Chan said the committee would return with written follow-up on outstanding questions, particularly on Pier 94, small-sites funding and nonprofit grant reductions. She moved to continue the hearing to the call of the chair; the motion, seconded by Vice Chair Madeline, passed on a roll call with three recorded yes votes and two absences. The committee adjourned.