INFO PAGE
Building Trust, Changing Lives with SFHOT
In recognition of Homelessness Awareness Month, we’re proud to highlight the work of the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team (SFHOT).
SFHOT's Compassionate Approach to Homelessness
SFHOT is a key component of the Homelessness Response System, and our mission is to engage and stabilize the city’s most vulnerable residents by offering connection, shelter, and housing support. Every day, SFHOT’s skilled, compassionate teams work across San Francisco, providing essential outreach and case management services to people experiencing homelessness. They take the time to listen and build trust, knowing that everyone’s journey is unique and that a foundation of trust can open doors to stability and change.
A recent success story from SFHOT highlights this patient, relationship-based approach.
Building Bridges
For years, SFHOT’s Encampment Resolution Team (ERT) worked closely with a client named Victoria Garcia, a 63-year-old woman who had made a life on the streets in the Tenderloin and Mission District. Although she interacted frequently with SFHOT, she was cautious and hesitant to accept their offers of shelter or housing. For Victoria, her current situation represented independence, and she worried that accessing services would mean losing her autonomy.
Recognizing the importance of trust, ERT team members approached each interaction with care, listening to her story and understanding her needs. Jorge Morales, a former SFHOT employee, was particularly instrumental in building this trust by connecting with Victoria in Spanish, bridging a cultural gap that strengthened their bond. These ongoing interactions were not about pressuring her to accept help but about letting her know that SFHOT would be there whenever she was ready.
The Heart of SFHOT’s Impact
After years of gentle, steady outreach, the turning point came in September 2024. Facing worsening health issues and the physical toll of cold, rainy nights, Victoria decided she was ready for a change. SFHOT quickly offered her a placement at Gough Cabins Tiny Homes. Transitioning into housing after years of being unhoused wasn’t easy, but the SFHOT team provided wraparound support, including medical and mental health services, to ensure her new home was a place where she could thrive. Reflecting on her journey, Victoria often says it was more than just finding a shelter; it was about finding a team who truly understood her and respected her journey.
Victoria’s story exemplifies SFHOT’s approach to outreach: they don’t just offer services—they offer partnership, patience, and a steadfast commitment to each individual’s unique path. Her pathway, and the dedication of the SFHOT team, reminds us that trust is often the first step to transformation. As we celebrate Homelessness Awareness Month, we honor the SFHOT team’s vital role in making lasting change, one connection at a time.