2025 Homelessness Needs Assessment

This report fulfills the OCOH Oversight Committee's responsibility defined in San Francisco Business Tax Regulation Code  § 2810 (e)(2)(B):

Conduct a needs assessment with respect to homelessness and Homeless populations, including but not limited to an assessment of available data on sub-populations with regard to race, family composition, sexual orientation, age, and gender.

The analysis draws on quantitative and qualitative data from the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development, Department of Public Health, and other public sources. OCOH Oversight Committee Data Officer, Scott Walton, and Community Impact Liaison Jabari Jackson, collaborated with City departments to inform the analysis.

The Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee reviewed and made comments on multiple drafts of the assessment. The Committee approved the cover letter and officially adopted the 2025 Homelessness Needs Assessment at its January 22, 2026 meeting.

2025 Homelessness Needs Assessment Summary

The 2025 Homelessness Needs Assessment highlights persistent and growing challenges in addressing homelessness in San Francisco.

Key Findings

1. Systemic Inequities: Homelessness is driven by systemic inequities in housing, employment, and healthcare, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities.
2. Population Trends: Single adults make up the majority of people experiencing homelessness, while family and youth homelessness rates are rising.
3. High Inflow: Despite expanded shelter and housing capacity, unsheltered homelessness remains largely unchanged in part due to high inflow rates—three people enter homelessness for every one who exits.
4. Behavioral Health Needs: A substantial share of people experiencing homelessness have behavioral health conditions and reports of mental illness, substance use, and chronic conditions have increased.
5. Capacity Challenges: Limited housing and shelter capacity, long waitlists, and systemic barriers hinder exits from homelessness and slow system flow.

Key Interventions

1. Address Systemic Disparities: Prioritize marginalized groups through culturally competent housing and services, and strengthen partnerships with community organizations to ensure equitable access.
2. Limit Inflow into Homelessness: Invest in affordable housing, rental assistance, and eviction prevention programs, while expanding housing stabilization services to keep people housed.
3. Address Behavioral Health Needs: Increase access to mental health and substance use treatment, integrate care into shelters and housing, and provide a full continuum of recovery-oriented services.
4. Align Interventions to Population Needs: Design solutions for single adults with intensive health supports and permanent housing, and for families with affordable housing, childcare, and employment services.
5. Match Capacity with Demand: Expand housing and shelter capacity, improve system flow, and increase sustainable exits from shelter to meet the scale of need.

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