SAN FRANCISCO—Mayor Edwin Lee announced on Valentine’s Day that a new system has been developed to help homeless individuals to make shelter reservations. The new 311 system will allow homeless adults to make a 90-day reservation at a shelter. This new system makes things easier for women, people with disabilities and non-English speakers to access the emergency system by no longer having to wait in line. The system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for homeless adults to access safe, clean emergency shelters when they need it, so that they can seek employment, access vital services and find permanent housing,” said Mayor Lee. “Thanks to 311, the Human Services Agency and the participants of the Shelter Access Workgroup, we now have a better system for the people who need it.”

According to a press release from the Mayor’s office, the Shelter Access Workgroup is a stakeholder process that was led by the Mayor’s Office of HOPE to improve the homeless access and outcome from the new emergency system. The reservation system had input from policy makers, service providers, advocates and homeless individuals.

Emergency shelter is vital to our toolbox to end homelessness, and a 90-day stay in shelter can make the difference between life and death for those on our streets,” said Mayor’s Office of HOPE Director Bevan Dufty. “Many citywide partners helped develop this reservation process and we look forward to improving outcomes for people on our streets.”

“When I sponsored a hearing on shelter access, I was moved by the testimony of homeless individuals who had spent many cold nights in line in the Tenderloin to secure a 90-day shelter reservation. Our most vulnerable residents shouldn’t have to put themselves at risk to find a shelter bed,” said District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim.

“Providing better access to our emergency shelter system will enable us to maximize the number of beds that are used every night, which means that fewer people will have to spend the night on the street,” said Human Services Agency Director Trent Rhorer.

The City’s 311 Customer Service Center provides assistance 24 hours a day to San Francisco residents. Since the launch of the system in March 2007, 311 has retrieved more than 15 million calls and serves callers in more than 176 languages.

“311 is here to serve all San Franciscans, and we are proud that our customer service expertise can assist homeless individuals secure shelter reservations,” said 311 Customer Service Center Director Nancy Alfaro.

Beginning Tuesday, February 25, long-term single adult shelter reservations can be made via the waitlist system managed by the 311 Service Center. When a bed is available, individuals can be notified by phone, text or via their case manager. They can also check online or view the waitlist status at www.sf311.org/waitlist.

Locations for Emergency Adult Shelter Reservation Sites:

MSC South Drop-In, 525 Fifth Street, (415) 597-7960

5:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. every day

United Council of Human Services – Resource Center, 2111 Jennings Street, (415) 671-1100

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. every day
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. every day

Mission Neighborhood Resource Center, 165 Capp Street, (415) 869-7977

Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. – Noon
2:00 p.m. – 7 p.m. (until 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays)

Saturday:  7 a.m. – Noon

Glide Walk-In Center, 330 Ellis Street, (415) 674-6012

Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

By LaDale Anderson