Committee endorses extension and funding increase for 685 Ellis shelter contract
October 27, 2023 | San Francisco County, California
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The Homelessness and Behavioral Health Select Committee voted unanimously Oct. 27 to send to the full Board a resolution authorizing the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to amend its contract with 5 Keys to operate the semi-congregate shelter at 685 Ellis Street.
Emily Cohen, representing HSH, told the committee the amendment would extend the agreement at the site through June 30, 2026, and increase the contract's not-to-exceed amount to approximately $27.3 million. Cohen said the site was acquired by the city in May 2022 and was converted from a shelter-in-place hotel into the city's general shelter portfolio when the shelter-in-place program wound down.
Cohen described operating details: the site serves up to 134 adults in 74 rooms, is part of the city's roughly 2,400-bed adult shelter portfolio, and has an operating cost of about $140 per person per night (meals are provided under a separate contract at about $12 per day). The department told the committee it would pursue state Homekey funds to convert the site to permanent supportive housing once a funding award is secured and rehab timelines are met.
Nick Menard of the Budget and Legislative Analyst's office reported the BLA reviewed the amendment and found no significant performance issues with 5 Keys meeting operational or service requirements. Menard said the amendment would increase the existing not-to-exceed amount from roughly $8 million to about $27.3 million and noted the annual program cost on the BLA budget table is roughly $6.9 million to serve 134 guests.
Clerk Stephanie Cabrera opened the item for public comment and reported there were no speakers. Chair Supervisor Hillary Ronan then moved to send the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The committee recorded unanimous support: Supervisor Walton, Vice Chair Mandelmann and Chair Ronan voted aye.
The resolution was forwarded to the full Board; the clerk noted items acted on at this committee are expected to appear on the Board agenda of Nov. 7, 2023. Any conversion of the site to permanent supportive housing remains contingent on receipt of state Homekey funds and compliance with Homekey conditions.
Emily Cohen, representing HSH, told the committee the amendment would extend the agreement at the site through June 30, 2026, and increase the contract's not-to-exceed amount to approximately $27.3 million. Cohen said the site was acquired by the city in May 2022 and was converted from a shelter-in-place hotel into the city's general shelter portfolio when the shelter-in-place program wound down.
Cohen described operating details: the site serves up to 134 adults in 74 rooms, is part of the city's roughly 2,400-bed adult shelter portfolio, and has an operating cost of about $140 per person per night (meals are provided under a separate contract at about $12 per day). The department told the committee it would pursue state Homekey funds to convert the site to permanent supportive housing once a funding award is secured and rehab timelines are met.
Nick Menard of the Budget and Legislative Analyst's office reported the BLA reviewed the amendment and found no significant performance issues with 5 Keys meeting operational or service requirements. Menard said the amendment would increase the existing not-to-exceed amount from roughly $8 million to about $27.3 million and noted the annual program cost on the BLA budget table is roughly $6.9 million to serve 134 guests.
Clerk Stephanie Cabrera opened the item for public comment and reported there were no speakers. Chair Supervisor Hillary Ronan then moved to send the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The committee recorded unanimous support: Supervisor Walton, Vice Chair Mandelmann and Chair Ronan voted aye.
The resolution was forwarded to the full Board; the clerk noted items acted on at this committee are expected to appear on the Board agenda of Nov. 7, 2023. Any conversion of the site to permanent supportive housing remains contingent on receipt of state Homekey funds and compliance with Homekey conditions.
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