It has been a whirlwind of a month since I stepped into the role of Director of the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. I pledged to spend my first few months listening to all stakeholders so that I can get a sense of what’s working, what’s challenging, and where we need to provide stronger support. I am grateful to all of those who have spent time talking with me. I have learned so much and I am rapidly gaining many insights into the needs of the Department. Across the board, I have encountered awe-inspiring expertise, compassion and…
This year during Black History Month, like many people, I find myself more focused on Black futures than history. Perhaps it is my pride at being part of an HSH leadership team that renewed its commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, backed with positions, funding and designed to implement real change. …
While HSH is fully deployed to the City’s COVID response and operating new Alternative Care programs, we remain committed to our core Homelessness Response System (HRS) and thank our nonprofit provider partners and our essential and frontline workers, heroes all, during these unprecedented times. We receive numerous questions about our work and wanted to explain how our system of care works.
The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing is a young department. Launched in 2016, our mission is to make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time. In 2017, we issued a 5-year Strategic Framework, outlining our goals. Implementing this work would…
As part of the City’s COVID response, San Francisco is currently housing approximately 2,300 guests in temporary Shelter in Place (SIP) hotels. As an early public health disaster measure, the most COVID vulnerable people experiencing homelessness were offered a safe space to shelter in place in what grew to be 25 SIP hotels. As we move from response to recovery, I have been both inspired and humbled by the deeply passionate responses from our nonprofit Provider Partners, community members, SIP guests and the Board of Supervisors regarding the question, “what comes next?” HSH response timeline
I want to acknowledge that…
Let’s be honest, this is a tough year to write about gratitude.
San Franciscans, most especially those experiencing homelessness, have suffered more deeply this year with increased fear and risk of grave illness. As the pandemic dampens holiday season spirits for all, it becomes easier to count losses rather than blessings. That is until I “think HSH” and plug myself into the inspiring HSH workforce each morning to partner with some of the most dedicated, creative, driven and generous colleagues and nonprofit partners I have ever had the honor of working with. And so even, or especially, amidst the unprecedented…
Dedria Black, Deputy Director for Programs
Today is the annual day we Americans set aside to honor our Veterans. As a Veteran myself, I truly appreciate the national and local recognition of the sacrifices that Veterans have made for all of us throughout this country’s history. In my own life, in addition to reflecting on my years of service, I find myself actively renewing both my personal and professional commitment to our local Veterans experiencing homelessness. …
