Last year, Portland lawmakers approved a surtax on companies with high CEO-to-worker pay ratios and dedicated the revenue to homeless services. Will the San Francisco Board of Supervisors follow suit?
Category: Solving Homelessness: Ideas for Ending a Crisis
Host Homes Could Get Young Adults Off Streets
San Francisco has the highest percentage of unsheltered youths in the nation — more than 1,200 between 18 and 24 years old, at last count. Host homes could get many off the streets. Would you welcome a homeless youth into your home?
Local and National Efforts to End Youth Homelessness
Efforts to end youth homeless began in earnest in 1974, when Congress passed legislation that changed the national approach to helping at-risk youths.
For Alcoholics, ‘Wet Houses’ Offer a Home
Studies have found that the 1811 Eastlake project in Seattle helps keep alcoholics off the streets and out of jails and emergency rooms — and even helps them drink less.
For Alcoholic Residents at Dann’s House, ‘It Feels Like Home’
On the outskirts of Traverse City, Michigan, Dann’s House provides supportive housing to eight alcoholic homeless men. Unlike most housing for the homeless, there’s no expectation that residents will stop drinking, even on-site. But their consumption is down, and their lives improved.
Private Capital Takes a Risk to Help House Neediest
Since their debut seven years ago, “social impact bonds” have generated $200 million in the United States and 14 other countries toward programs to reduce homelessness and related social problems. San Jose has already tapped into this new funding source, and San Francisco may in the future.
Comparing 4 ‘Social Impact Bond’ Projects
Governments have been looking for an effective, cost-efficient way to house their homeless populations, especially the high-need individuals straining public resources while out on the streets. Social impact bonds offer a novel public-private partnership that might work.
No Vacancy for the Homeless
Dozens of residential hotels have rooms to spare, but it is a seller’s market, and city officials cannot force owners to rent. At last count, 4,353 people were unsheltered in San Francisco, with 1,827 empty rooms in private SROs.
How to Fill All the Empty SRO Rooms
Master leasing of single-room occupancy hotels in San Francisco has housed thousands of homeless people — and done so in hotels that are, by and large, a huge improvement over those of a generation ago. But hings could be better.
Brainstorming the Future to Help Resolve Homelessness
Starting this fall, the Public Press is reporting on new and creative solutions to homelessness. And because we know we don’t have all the answers, we’re engaging the community to gather fresh ideas and inspire action.

