Share The Facts

The overwhelming majority of people want safe and stable homes; they do not want to live on the streets.

We asked individuals who are experiencing homelessness in San Francisco what the City could do better. 89% of the respondents said that the best way to help someone experiencing homelessness is to support their efforts in finding a place to live.

Providing a stable home is not only more consistent with San Francisco values, it’s cheaper.

Providing an individual with housing + supportive services costs ~$35k per year, but providing for just the healthcare needs of our most vulnerable neighbors experiencing homelessness costs more than twice that—caring for each of the top 1% of public health system patients costs as much as $100k per year!

Homelessness disproportionately affects communities who have faced and continue to face discrimination.

We can’t talk about homelessness without talking about equity. 6% of the population in San Francisco identifies as Black, but they represent 37% of the population experiencing homelessness. 14% of the population in San Francisco identifies as LGBTQ+, but they represent 27% of the population experiencing homelessness. 

Homelessness in San Francisco often affects those at a young age.

45% of people experiencing homelessness first became homeless before the age of 25, and more than 1,400 young people are currently experiencing homelessness in San Francisco.

People experiencing homelessness in San Francisco are San Franciscans. 

More than 70% of people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco were living here when they became homeless. According to a recent survey, nearly two-thirds of Black respondents have lived in the City for more than ten years, and 21% have lived in San Francisco their entire lives.

Stable homes and services are proven solutions.

Homes with supportive services have been shown to successfully house 85% of people for the long-term , including people who require a high level of support to remain stable and thrive.