Providers warn reallocation of Prop C funds will reduce housing for TAY and families

During public comment on the interim budget ordinances, multiple homelessness-service providers representing HESPA and others told the Budget & Appropriations Committee they oppose the mayor's proposed reallocation of Proposition C/Our City Our Home funds away from Transitional Age Youth (TAY) and family allocations.

Marnie Regan of Larkin Street Youth Services said the reallocation "will severely impact the TAY and family systems of care to provide housing for our clients" and warned the change would increase homelessness among young people and families. Charles DeFarge of Episcopal Community Services echoed the concern, saying the RCOH allocations were established through years of voter-backed community process and that moving funds undermines that process.

Sherilyn Adams, executive director of Larkin Street Youth Services, told supervisors the mayor's plan would add only a small number of new TAY beds (she cited a potential 92 beds over two years) and that many young people currently living unsheltered would not be reached by the proposed changes. Hope Keimer of Compass Family Services said a waitlist for family emergency shelter remains (she cited 87 families at the time of her comment) and warned that the proposed change to Prop C allocations would keep those families on the list.

Committee members heard these concerns but also discussed tradeoffs across homelessness strategies during the budget process. The interim ordinances were forwarded to the full Board; the committee invited continued budget negotiations and departmental follow-up on allocation details.