Committee approves lease for Bayshore Navigation Center and releases reserves to continue community ambassador programs

The Committee on July 15 approved referring to the full Board a 10‑year lease for 125 Bayshore Boulevard to continue operations of the Bayshore Navigation Center (operated by 5 Keys), a long‑term shelter with 128 beds and a 97% occupancy rate. Real estate staff described lease terms (10 years at $21/sq ft in initial year; annual 3% escalations; city responsible for utilities and janitorial; landlord for property taxes and major repairs) and noted options to extend.

Separately, the Committee approved hearings and released reserve funds to allow the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to continue and expand community ambassador and site‑activation services: Item 15 would release approximately $2.4M to sustain ambassador services at two sites (including Embarcadero Navigation Center and 685 Ellis), and Item 16 would release approximately $4.4M to continue and expand neighborhood‑based ambassador coverage in SoMa/Tenderloin and to support activation at Turk & Hyde for one year. HSH staff said ambassadors provide rapid response to quality‑of‑life issues and help sites be good neighbors.

BLA recommended adding service and outcome objectives to agreements for ambassador services consistent with citywide standards, suggested HSH consider direct contracts with providers where feasible, and urged coordination with the Department of Emergency Management for neighborhood coverage. Supervisors and public commenters from Mid Market and SoMa described measurable improvements where ambassadors operate and urged funding continuation. The Committee moved Item 13 to the full Board with a positive recommendation and approved the reserve releases as heard and filed.