Mayor Lurie Launches Program To Connect San Franciscans In Vehicles To Housing More Quickly

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today launched a new program to help San Franciscans living in large vehicles move into permanent housing more quickly. Using private funding raised through the Breaking the Cycle Fund as part of Mayor Lurie’s Breaking the Cycle plan, the new program will improve flow in the city’s housing system—helping families exit vehicular homelessness. 

Under his Breaking the Cycle plan, Mayor Lurie recently celebrated the opening of more housing and shelter in San Francisco—including 42 Otis Street, which offers permanent supportive housing for young people exiting homelessness, and Dolores Shelter and Jazzie’s Place, which adds 50 new beds for people experiencing homelessness and LGBTQ+ adults seeking shelter. Earlier this year, Mayor Lurie launched three new recovery-focused interim housing programs, and he is transforming the city’s response to the behavioral health and homelessness crisis—creating integrated neighborhood-based street outreach teams, opening a 24/7 police-friendly stabilization center, and introducing new policies to connect people to treatment. 

“We stood up the Breaking the Cycle Fund so we could find creative new ways to address the homelessness and behavioral health crisis. With this program, we’re putting one of those ideas into practice and helping families living in vehicles get into homes faster,” said Mayor Lurie. “Families living in vehicles should have a chance to access stable housing—and when families are ready for housing, we need to be ready too.” 

Under the new program, the city will use private dollars raised through the Breaking the Cycle Fund—launched with $37.5 million in initial commitments—to provide property owners with a one-month hold payment while service providers match them with tenants, allowing families waiting for housing to get connected to a place to live more quickly. The program will improve flow through San Francisco’s housing system by reserving homes before tenants are identified, limiting delays that keep families with subsidies waiting when they cannot find an apartment.  

To support this effort, Mayor Lurie secured $13 million over two fiscal years in the city budget for rapid rehousing subsidies and tools to address the vehicular homelessness crisis, giving families living in large vehicles a place to go to get off the streets. The new program will ensure the subsidies are put to use quickly to help families transition into permanent housing. 

“We believe that everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home,” said Shireen McSpadden, San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing Executive Director. “This program is designed to bridge the gap between property owners and individuals experiencing homelessness, creating a pathway to stable housing. By incentivizing property owners to participate, we not only support our community’s most vulnerable residents, but also foster a spirit of collaboration that benefits all San Franciscans. Together, we can turn the tide on homelessness and build a brighter future for our city.” 

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