San Francisco Considers Closing Permanent Supportive Housing Sites

Homeless advocates express concern over potential closures of long-term housing options.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:34am by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, impressionistic scene of blurred, overlapping shapes and textures in muted earth tones, evoking a sense of uncertainty and transition around the future of San Francisco's homeless support services.As San Francisco weighs the future of its permanent supportive housing programs, the city's homeless advocates warn that reducing these critical services could push more vulnerable residents back onto the streets.San Francisco Today

San Francisco is considering closing some of its permanent supportive housing (PSH) sites, according to reports from homeless service providers. The mayor's office has met with housing providers about a potential list of buildings to be shut down, raising alarm among advocates who argue PSH is a critical tool for addressing homelessness in the city.

Why it matters

Permanent supportive housing is seen as a more stable and effective long-term solution for people experiencing homelessness, providing both housing and access to necessary health and social services. Advocates warn that reducing PSH units could push more people onto the streets and undo progress made in transitioning the unhoused population.

The details

The city's mayor, Daniel Lurie, has prioritized getting people struggling with addiction into treatment, and his administration is reportedly reevaluating how permanent supportive housing is used. However, the mayor's office has not yet determined if any PSH sites will be closed in the coming months. Advocates argue that while housing is expensive, it is ultimately less costly than having unhoused individuals disconnected from services.

  • On April 15, the city of San Francisco was first incorporated in 1850.
  • Last month, the mayor's chief of health and human services met with housing providers about a potential list of PSH buildings to be closed.

The players

Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco who is prioritizing addiction treatment and reevaluating the city's use of permanent supportive housing.

Charles Lutvak

The press secretary for Mayor Lurie, who stated the administration is working to make permanent supportive housing 'work better' amid budget constraints.

Christin Evans

A former San Francisco Homeless Oversight Commissioner and current small business owner who has been following the discussions around potential PSH closures.

Jennifer Friedenbach

The executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness, who argues that permanent supportive housing is a proven solution to homelessness that should not be reduced.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Permanent supportive housing does work. It has been studied to death, and it is the primary resolution of homelessness that has the highest level of success.”

— Jennifer Friedenbach, Executive Director, Coalition on Homelessness

“We're cutting really essential services for our most vulnerable san Franciscans, and its actually going to harm our recovery as a city.”

— Christin Evans, Former San Francisco Homeless Oversight Commissioner

What’s next

The mayor's office has not yet determined if any permanent supportive housing sites will be closed in the coming months, but advocates remain concerned about the potential impact on the city's homeless population.

The takeaway

This debate over permanent supportive housing highlights the difficult tradeoffs San Francisco faces as it grapples with a growing homelessness crisis and budget constraints. While housing is expensive, advocates argue it is a more humane and cost-effective solution than leaving vulnerable residents on the streets.