Committee OKs referral to Board to allow HSH and Mayor’s Office to solicit private donations

The committee voted Oct. 13 to forward a resolution authorizing the Office of the Mayor and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to solicit private donations from businesses and philanthropic entities to support temporary shelter expansion and other homeless services.

Emily Cohen of HSH said the Mayor’s Fund for the Homeless already exists as a designated fund with reporting requirements and annual reporting to the homeless oversight commission and the Board. Cohen told the committee that HSH currently operates just under 3,000 temporary shelter beds with a 91 percent occupancy rate and that the Home by the Bay plan calls for a substantial expansion of shelter, housing and prevention services over five years.

Chair Ronan said she was philosophically uncomfortable relying on philanthropy but supported the measure given current fiscal realities. Vice Chair Mandelman voiced similar concerns about federal and state funding shortfalls and said he would cosponsor the resolution. The committee forwarded the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation.