Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee Meeting - March 28, 2024

The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on March 28, 2024, to consider two liquor license applications, hold a hearing on the impacts of permanent supportive housing (PSH) facilities, and receive an update on the implementation of the "A Place for All" ordinance. The meeting featured extensive public testimony and debate on the operation and community effects of PSH.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (240185): Liquor license issuance for Kim Huong Cafe at 325 Leavenworth Street. The SFPD recommended approval with conditions (monitor loitering, maintain litter-free area). No public comment. The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to send a positive recommendation to the full Board.
• Item 2 (240186): Liquor license issuance for Origin Boutique Nightclub at 1538 Fillmore Street. The applicant explained the need for a Type 90 license to operate without a kitchen. SFPD recommended conditions including noise control and security. No public comment. The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to forward with positive recommendation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (PSH hearing): Many residents and advocates spoke. Niki Amadi (West Soma resident) presented a petition with 1,300 signatures, expressing concerns about overconcentration of supportive housing in District 6 and lack of community engagement. She cited the closure threat to Bay of Burma restaurant and argued that the city has ignored resident safety concerns.
• Deanna Terzian (Mission Bay resident) detailed that a HomeRise PSH facility at 1538 Fillmore (opened Oct 2022) generated 1,166 calls for service (656 police) in 18 months, including 159 priority A calls. She requested 24/7 security, better screening, and relocation of repeat offenders.
• Other Mission Bay and West Soma residents recounted drug dealing, violence, public masturbation, and screaming incidents near PSH sites. They claimed HomeRise was unresponsive for nine months and that promises made during planning were not kept.
• Supportive housing providers (e.g., Lauren Hall, SHPN) and tenants defended PSH, noting 97% of residents are not disruptive. They called for increased funding for clinical services, mental health support, and community ambassadors rather than private security. Several PSH residents, including a woman who was formerly homeless, shared their success stories and urged patience.
• Supervisor Dorsey emphasized that the hearing was not about undermining PSH but about improving operations to maintain public confidence. He noted that the city must address legitimate concerns from residents.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 (24118): Hearing on Impacts of Permanent Supportive Housing Facilities. Emily Cohen (HSH) presented an overview: SF has over 13,000 PSH units (70% site-based). She discussed the "Good Neighbor Policy," community working groups, and the cost of 24/7 private security ($60-70M annually). She advocated for community ambassadors and increased social services, noting that the budget for such investments is limited. Supervisor Dorsey questioned the crime data, arguing that many incidents are underreported and that the current approach is reactive and expensive. He pushed for more proactive security measures. Supervisor Mandelman raised concerns about 100% PSH buildings and the need for a higher level of care for the most acute 5% of residents. He suggested that geographical deconcentration and mixed-income buildings could reduce problems.
• Marcel Davis (HomeRise) reported that 3% of residents at the Mission Bay site cause the majority of issues. He detailed steps taken (no-loitering signs, 24-hour response to complaints, de-escalation) but acknowledged that progress is slow due to fair housing laws and eviction timelines. He emphasized that 97% of residents thrive and that the building is a success story.
• Deanna Terzian (Mission Bay) presented slides showing fights, drug deals, and public indecency. She argued that HSH broke screening promises and that 24/7 security is necessary. She called for an urgent relocation policy for repeat offenders.
• Item 4 (24242): Hearing on A Place for All Implementation Update. Supervisor Mandelman noted that unsheltered homelessness remains at about 4,200 people, unchanged from 2022. He criticized HSH's initial plan as unrealistic and urged a more focused approach. Emily Cohen presented HSH's progress: 3,400 shelter slots (93% occupancy), 400 new beds needed to reach 50% reduction, and the "Street to Home" program (60 placements). She cited funding and siting as key barriers. Sam Dodge (DEM) stated that with 1,000 additional shelter beds and current resources, encampments could be resolved within 24 hours. He also stressed the need for SB 43 (civil commitment) and more appropriate placement for people with severe mental illness. Public comment included criticism of shelter conditions and calls for more housing-first solutions.

Key Outcomes

• The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to continue the hearing on permanent supportive housing (Item 3) to the call of the chair to allow for further progress assessment.
• The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to file the hearing on A Place for All implementation (Item 4).
• Both liquor license items were forwarded to the full Board with positive recommendations (3-0 votes each).

Note on date discrepancy: The transcript incorrectly begins with "March 27, 2024" but the agenda and official scheduling indicate the meeting occurred on March 28, 2024. This summary uses the official date.