Homelessness Oversight in San Francisco Under Scrutiny

How many commissioners does it take to change a lightbulb? Well, it seems to depend on the amount of taxpayer money involved.

A group of officials in San Francisco suggests eliminating five homelessness oversight commissions that cost taxpayers around $2 million a year, as reported recently. This recommendation stemmed from five senior members at the city administrator and controller’s office and was presented to the Commission Streamlining Task Force.

The report noted, “It’s not clear that having multiple public bodies overseeing homelessness is making the city’s homelessness work more effective.” It raises a valid point, doesn’t it?

Last November, Governor Gavin Newsom took measures to tidy up San Francisco for the arrival of Chinese President Xi. Now, he appears to be doing something similar for Vice President Kamala Harris. It feels predictable, as many believe the changes won’t be enduring. Newsom’s commitment to the issues at hand seems questionable to some.

Michael Shellenberger, a journalist and author, pointed out, “Very few people are on the street simply because they can’t afford the rent.” He asserts that untreated mental health issues or addiction are often the primary reasons people find themselves homeless. Those who might struggle to pay rent but can work typically find alternatives, be it moving in with family or seeking cheaper housing.

There are currently 52 commissioners across San Francisco’s homelessness oversight commissions. The same report claims these commissioners overlooked significant instances where nonprofits mismanaged funds or services.

Further investigations found organizations like Baker Places and Positive Resource Center had sought additional emergency funding following previous allocations. Also, the United Council of Human Services is under scrutiny for alleged financial mismanagement, leaving the city unaware of its nonprofit status being suspended.

A statewide audit in 2024 revealed that only two out of five homelessness programs in California were deemed cost-effective, while more data was needed to evaluate the rest fully.

California has funneled about $24 billion towards homelessness and housing from 2018 to 2023. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Who hasn’t misplaced a billion or two?

California funds various Continuums of Care (CoCs), which aim to implement effective practices to combat homelessness. Yet, auditors reported finding suspicious client records, including names like “Mickey Mouse” and “Super Woman.”

San Francisco maintains approximately 116 active commissions and boards, which range from the LGBTQI+ Advisory Committee to various task forces. The Commission Streamlining Task Force is currently analyzing these commissions for effectiveness.

Could this be a meaningful place to start? One instance worth noting is the Access Appeals Commission, which canceled 19 meetings in 2024 while holding only five.