Would create the Homelessness Oversight Commission to oversee the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, among other actions. Proposition C requires a simple majority (50% + 1) to pass.
Fiscal Impact: Would be approximately $350,000 for the annual salary and operating costs for the Commission.
Next San Francisco County Measure: Proposition D
Pro:
Proponents of Proposition C argue that to end homelessness, we must ensure that every federal, state, and local dollar is spent effectively and the Commission will ensure that major policy, budget, and contracting decisions are data driven and made in the light of day. They argue that there is no Charter requirement that the Controller audit departmental spending or performance, and many decisions are made without community input, public meetings, or independent review.
A YES vote on this measure means: The Homelessness Oversight Commission would be created to oversee the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.
Con:
Opponents of Proposition C argue that the homeless non-profit complex, with never-ending funding, keeps staff employed, with no results on the streets. They argue bureaucracies don't increase transparency, and the seats on this commission will go to the homeless industrial complex, who will gloss over the non-accountability of the non-profit organizations. (note: this is a paid argument against the measure).
A NO vote on this measure means: The Homelessness Oversight Commission would be created to oversee the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.
Existing Law
The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (“HSH”) was established in 2016. Under the supervision and direction of the department’s Director, HSH is charged with managing and directing all housing, programs, and services for homeless persons in the City including, but not limited to, street outreach, homeless shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing, as well as certain designated functions set forth in Chapter 20 of the municipal code. The Mayor appoints and may remove the head of HSH. HSH is not subject to direct oversight by a City Commission.
Chapter XXXI of Chapter 5 of the Administrative Code establishes the Local Homeless Coordinating Board (“LHCB”), which serves as the governing body of the Continuum of Care and advises HSH on homeless policy and budget allocations. With respect to HSH, the LHCB is a purely advisory body, and its advice is not binding on the department. Currently, members of the LHCB are appointed by the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors, and the Controller.
Article XII of Chapter 20 of the Administrative Code establishes the Shelter Monitoring Committee. Currently, members of the Committee are appointed by the Board of Supervisors, the LHCB, and the Mayor. Article XLI of Chapter 5 of the Administrative Code provides that the Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors on administration of the Our City, Our Home Fund and on monies appropriated from the Fund.
Amendments to Current Law
The proposed Charter amendment would create the Homelessness Oversight Commission. The Commission would have seven members, four appointed by the Mayor and three appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Mayor’s nominees would be subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors within 60 days of appointment.
One of the Mayor’s appointees and one of the Board of Supervisors’ appointees would be required to be a person who has personally experienced homelessness. One of the Mayor’s appointees and one of the Board of Supervisors’ appointees would be required to be a person with significant experience providing services to or engaging in advocacy on behalf of persons experiencing homelessness. One of the Mayor’s appointees would be required to be a person with expertise in mental health service delivery or substance abuse treatment. In addition to the aforementioned qualifications, at least one of the Mayor’s appointees would also have experience in budgeting, finance, and auditing. One of the Board of Supervisors’ appointees would be required to be a person with significant experience working with homeless families with children and/or homeless youth. And one of the Mayor’s appointees would be required to have a record of participation in a merchants’ or small business association, or neighborhood association.
The appointing authorities would be required to make their initial appointments by March 1, 2023, and the Commission would come into effect once four members are appointed or on May 1, 2023, whichever is later. Commissioners would serve four-year terms (except for three commissioners serving initial two-year terms).
The Commission would oversee HSH, and would have all of the powers and duties of commissions set forth in the Charter, including but not limited to formulating, evaluating, and approving goals, objectives, plans and programs, and setting policies consistent with the overall objectives of the City, approving applicable departmental budgets, nominating to the Mayor candidates for department head, removing a department head, and conducting investigations into any aspect of governmental operations within its jurisdiction.
The Commission would not have the authority to approve, disapprove, or modify criteria used to ascertain eligibility or priority for programs and/or services operated or provided by the Department, where such criteria are required as a condition of the receipt of state or federal funding.
The Charter Amendment would also require the Board of Supervisors to enact an ordinance by no later than May 1, 2023, that would amend the Municipal Code to provide that:
- The Commission shall appoint all members of the LHCB and the sole duties of the LHCB shall be to serve as the Continuum of Care governing body, and to advise the Commission on the City’s participation in that program;
- The Shelter Monitoring Committee shall advise the Commission in lieu of advising the LHCB; and
- The Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the Commission and the Health Commission, in addition to advising and making recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor, on administration of the Our City, Our Home Fund.
The Charter Amendment would also specify that services relating to homelessness are subject to audit by the Controller.