San Francisco Chronicle, by Trisha Thadani
San Francisco has pulled back on a plan to close hotels for the homeless this month, but the news has done little to curb the uncertainty that many residents still face in 2021.
The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing originally planned to close seven hotels — where about 500 people live — by Dec. 21. But after receiving about $10 million in state assistance, the department said in a tweet and an internal email this weekend that it would extend that timeline. But it’s unclear by how much.
Sara Shortt, director of policy and community organizing at the Community Housing Partnership, said the stress among residents and staff is “palpable.”
“Until residents get direct communication notifying them that they will continue to be able to live in the hotels until they are adequately housed, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with that,” she said.