San Francisco Youth Commission urges funding for transit, homelessness services, school safety and Narcan program

Chair Emily Wynne and members of the San Francisco Youth Commission told the Board of Supervisors’ Budget & Appropriation Committee on March 22 that the city’s budget should prioritize transportation access, youth homelessness services, school safety and mental-health staffing, and targeted environmental remediation.

"The youth commission is basically, the voice of youth in City Hall," said Emily Wynne, the commission chair, introducing a report the commission approved March 6 that lays out its budget and policy priorities for fiscal years 2023–24 and 2024–25.

Why it matters: The commission framed the priorities as essential to day-to-day access and safety for young people across San Francisco — from commuting to school to safe recreation, from preventing overdose deaths to reducing youth homelessness.

Transit and Free Muni: Hayden Miller, chair of the commission’s Housing, Recreation and Transit committee, urged supervisors to "restore 100% of Muni service" and to help the SFMTA secure operations funding, not only capital dollars. Miller said about "60% of SFUSD high schoolers take Muni to get to school every day" and cited suspended routes that once served disproportionately high shares of youth, including the 28R.

Miller also pressed for expanded "school tripper" service to reduce overcrowding after school and recommended exploring BART discounts for young people. He urged that Free Muni for All Youth be included in the SFMTA baseline budget so the program is not subject to annual debate.

Homelessness and navigation centers: Commissioner Chloe Wong presented 2022 point-in-time figures showing "there are 1,073 youth and transitional aged youth experiencing homelessness" in San Francisco, of whom she said roughly 84% are unsheltered. Wong said 38% of that group identify as LGBTQ+ and 40% are Black, noting that those shares exceed their representation in the general population.

Her recommendations included opening an additional navigation center that serves transitional-age youth outside the area around 700 Hyde Street, hiring more case managers, and allocating funds for on-site permanent supportive services.

Vision Zero and street safety: The commission urged faster delivery of quick-build traffic-calming projects and more automated speed enforcement near schools and other high-injury corridors. Wynne noted the city ended 2022 with 32 traffic deaths and recommended a youth seat on any reconvened task force overseeing speed-related efforts.

Juvenile justice and facility recommendations: Commissioners summarized prior closure plans for juvenile hall and explained legal constraints following state legislation. A commission chair said the county still must maintain a juvenile justice center but can pursue rehabilitative physical changes and recommended continued funding for community-based violence-prevention programs and better coordination with the state and courts.

Harm reduction and Narcan in schools: The commission recommended a city-funded naloxone program in all San Francisco public, charter and private-school settings, paired with distribution guidance and training. Commissioners cited increases in fentanyl-related deaths and recent state laws, including the Campus Opioid Safety Act (SB 367), as part of the rationale.

Bayview Hunters Point cleanup: Commissioners asked the board to implement the 2021–22 Civil Grand Jury report recommendations, press the Navy and other parties on cleanup responsibility and funding, and ensure community-led engagement in remediation planning.

Civic engagement, Vote 16 and school services: Commissioners urged the board to support a charter amendment to place a Vote 16 measure on the ballot, expand funding for wellness centers in SFUSD with culturally and linguistically diverse mental-health staff, restart a Safer Schools Task Force with youth seats, and increase outreach and pre-registration efforts for young voters.

Supervisors and next steps: Supervisors praised the commission’s work and pledged follow-up during the budget process and in conversations with the mayor’s office; Supervisor Connie Chan moved that the committee "file" the hearing. The motion passed 3–0 (Vice Chair Mandelmann and Supervisor Ronan were absent).

The committee agreed to continue follow-up briefings and to track the mayor’s June 1 proposed budget, leaving the Youth Commission’s list of priorities available for supervisors and department staff to incorporate into budget and policy work.