Homelessness is Down in SF, But Not For Families

Families experiencing homelessness in San Francisco often remain invisible, trapped in a cycle of shelter instability while awaiting permanent housing. Despite a recent 15 percent increase in families facing homelessness, the city’s shelter system historically imposed rigid time limits that forced families to frequently relocate, causing significant disruption for children. Advocacy from affected parents, such as Maritza Salinas, successfully pressured the city to replace restrictive 30-day extension policies with unlimited 90-day renewals, offering families greater breathing room. However, systemic barriers persist, as only a small fraction of families successfully transition to permanent housing. A severe shortage of affordable units and long waitlists for vouchers create a bottleneck, leaving many families to cycle between shelters, cars, or doubled-up living arrangements despite the city's ongoing efforts to expand shelter capacity.