According to San Francisco’s latest point-in-time (PIT) countHomelessness has increased throughout the city, but has decreased in Wards 5 and 6.
Overall, the total number of homeless people in San Francisco has increased by about seven percent since 2022, from 7,754 sheltered and unsheltered people to 8,323. However, according to the data, the number of unsheltered homeless people has declined over the past five years, meaning more people are being housed in shelters and other short-term housing options.
The trend is consistent across all population groups: for example, the total number of homeless youth has increased by seven percent since 2022, but the number of homeless youth without shelter has decreased by nine percent.
District 5, which is led by Supervisor Dean Preston and includes parts of the Tenderloin, Haight Ashbury and Civic Center, has seen a dramatic 21 percent drop in homelessness. Supervisor Preston said this is the result of his efforts to fill vacant permanent housing units.
The 6th District, led by Supervisor Matt Dorsey, also saw a dramatic 23 percent drop in homelessness.
City officials say efforts to increase the capacity of San Francisco’s shelters have helped improve the situation.
The PIT Count data was collected before San Francisco’s recent crackdown on unhoused homeless people. In a press release, Supervisor Preston condemned Mayor London Breed’s recent “aggressive actions” and warned that the city’s new approach to raids will only worsen the crisis facing San Francisco.
You can see the full PIT Count report 2024 on our website: KALW.org.
