Shelter Expansion: Proponents Are Hopeful, Critics Doubtful

New York City’s shelter mandate, requiring the city to offer a placement to everyone who needs it without forcing anyone to accept it, is often cited as a model. Now San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing is developing a plan to offer some kind of shelter — ranging from a safe place to pitch a tent to a more permanent solution — to everyone willing to take it. While temporary shelter alone will not solve homelessness, advocates for shelter expansion see it as a crucial step. But critics worry a major investment in shelter will come at the cost of longer-term interventions. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Fixing Our City is part of the San Francisco Chronicle’s SFNext Project Got a tip, question, comment? Email us at [email protected] The homelessness department's strategic planning town hall will be held on Monday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. Details: https://hsh.sfgov.org/events/strategic-planning-town-hall/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices