San Francisco To Require Proof Of Residency For Shelters
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Beginning Dec. 1, San Francisco will require proof of residency for families seeking space in one of the city's long-term shelters.
San Francisco has three family shelters and getting into them can be tough, as there is normally a waiting list for local residents.
There are about 260 families on the waiting list and, to speed up the process, the new residency rule is being put into effect -- something Human Services Director Trent Rhorer said is not unreasonable.
San Francisco To Require Proof Of Residency For Shelters
"Because it is a limited resource, and it is funded by local dollars, we think it makes sense to prioritize this resource for families that are either homeless in San Francisco, who are living in San Francisco and became homeless, or who intend to reside or work here," Rhorer said.
Jennifer Friedenbach with the San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness said this will have a chilling effect on families who desperately need shelter, forcing many to jump through hoops to establish residency.
"We're going to be delivering a message to the Director of Human Services saying 'no thank you'," she said. "We don't want this policy for Thanksgiving."
Friedenbach said the new rule will force some families to apply for social services to establish residency, when in many cases, they aren't eligible.
But Rhorer said the requirements aren't onerous, and in fact, will provide new benefits for families that don't have them now.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
