Committee advances Homekey application, shelter extensions, Oasis amendment and project‑based vouchers

The Homelessness and Behavioral Health Select Committee on July 14 forwarded a package of department requests to the full Board with positive recommendations, including state grant applications, shelter extensions, a nonprofit grant amendment, and a long‑term voucher agreement.

Homekey application: HSH asked the committee to authorize an application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for Homekey funding for a 24‑unit property at 42 Otis (also discussed as 42 Folsom), seeking the maximum Homekey award ($4.9 million). Deputy Director Emily Cohen said the city has been aggressive in pursuing Homekey funds (round 3 total $736 million statewide) and that Homekey would offset acquisition and some operating costs.

Shelter booking extensions (Items 3–5): The committee approved forwarding three ordinances to extend booking agreements for the Adante, Monarch and Kova hotels as non‑congregate shelter through Aug. 31, 2024, and to increase the not‑to‑exceed amounts. BLA staff noted these are comparatively expensive per‑night shelter options (BLA estimated extending the agreements costs ~$10.6M with total city cost including services of roughly $22M) and recommended seeking lower‑cost alternatives while the city uses the extended period to identify alternatives or master‑lease arrangements.

Oasis family shelter (Item 6): The committee forwarded a third amendment to a grant agreement with the Providence Foundation to continue operations at the Oasis Hotel, extending the term through June 30, 2032 and raising the not‑to‑exceed amount to $58.3M to cover lease, operations and capital work. Supervisor Dean Preston and nonprofit partners described the Oasis as a successful public‑private model; Providence’s executive director, Patricia Doyle, and St. Anthony’s CEO spoke in support.

City Gardens vouchers (Item 7): HSH requested retroactive approval of a 20‑year agreement with the San Francisco Housing Authority to project‑base 50 Section 8 vouchers at the City Gardens permanent supportive housing site (333 Twelfth Street). The vouchers would subsidize up to 25% of PSH units at City Gardens and free Prop C operating funds for other family housing. BLA recommended approval; the committee voted unanimously to forward the agreement.

Votes and next steps: All items were forwarded with positive committee recommendations for Board consideration on July 18. Committee members emphasized the need to balance urgency to house people with fiscal oversight and to explore acquisition versus leasing tradeoffs for shelter properties.