Breed's more aggressive homelessness policies appear to be working

Image by Wikimedia Commons

San Francisco Mayor London Breed recently celebrated new data showing that the number of people living in tents in the city has hit its lowest point in six years. This comes after Breed—in response to SCOTUS' Grants Pass decision—began more vigorous encampment amelioration. KCBS reports on the latest numbers.

In August, Breed started ramping up enforcement of anti-camping laws following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case and an executive order by Gov. Gavin Newsom to clear encampments.

"It's finally starting to happen," Mayor London Breed declared Thursday. "We're seeing remarkable changes. The streets are looking better. The streets are a lot cleaner, but we also know there's so much more work to do."

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Across town, Mayor Breed was touting a citywide drop in the number of tent encampments. According to the most recent quarterly count, those numbers are down 60% since July of last year. She says the progress has picked up speed in the wake of the Grants Pass court ruling, and stepped up enforcement.

So where is everyone going? Close to 1,000 people have accepted shelter so far this year, and 365 of those just since August 1st when these operations were stepped up a bit. But not everyone on the streets is necessarily without a home or shelter.

"We also know that these encampments are actually a draw on people who may have placements they may have shelter," Supervisor Rafael Mandelman said Thursday. "They may have housing and they are still coming back to use substances on the street. I think clearing encampments, making it clear that if you have a need for shelter or treatment, we will get that for you. But you cannot stay on our sidewalks and you cannot be engaged in illegal activities in our public spaces."

Part of the goal in reducing homelessness is breaking up a pattern of behavior on top of reaching those who have, so far, been reluctant to accept the help that has been offered.

"And in some of those locations, we do, you know, find people that we repeatedly engage," said Sam Dodge with the Department of Emergency Management.

Since August 1st, 296 people have been cited or arrested. 80% of those cited for illegal lodging and released on site. Many of the arrests have been for outstanding warrants.

Read the whole thing here.

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Related:

• A new SF: Mayor Breed kicks off more vigorous clearing of dangerous homeless encampments, paired with services and shelter

• Mayor Breed: Homeless residents should have to pursue sobriety before receiving City money

• The back seat of a Greyhound bus

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