AMENDED IN COMMITTEE
FILE NO. 190047
3/11/2019
ORDINANCE NO. 61-19
[Administrative, Planning Codes - Streamlined Contracting for Homeless Services and Siting
for Homeless Shelters]
Ordinance amending the Administrative Code and Planning Code to streamline
contracting for homeless shelters, and siting of homeless shelters by, among other
things, authorizing the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to
enter into and amend contracts without requiring competitive bidding for professional
and other services relating to sites and programs for people experiencing
homelessness (Projects Addressing Homelessness); authorizing the Department of
Public Works to enter into and amend contracts without adhering to the Environment
Code or to provisions relating to competitive bidding, equal benefits, local business
enterprise utilization, and other requirements, for construction work and professional
and other services relating to Projects Addressing Homelessness; permitting
Homeless Shelters in PDR (Production Distribution Repair) and SAU
(Service/Arts/Light Industrial) districts; authorizing HSH to operate Navigation Centers
for more than two years; and affirming the Planning Department's determination under
the California Environmental Quality Act, and making findings of consistency with the
General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.
NOTE:
Unchanged Code text and uncodified text are in plain Arial font.
Additions to Codes are in single-underline italics Times New Roman font.
Deletions to Codes are in strikethrough italics Times lvew Roman font.
Board amendment additions are in double-underlined Arial font.
Board amendment deletions are in stril<ethrough /\rial font.
Asterisks (* * * *) indicate the omission of unchanged Code
subsections or parts of tables.
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 1
Be it ordained by the People of the City and County of San Francisco:
Section 1. Findings.
(a) California Government Code Sections 8698 through 8698.2 authorize the
governing body of a political subdivision, including the Board of Supervisors, to declare the
existence of a shelter crisis upon a finding by the governing body that a significant number of
persons within the jurisdiction are without the ability to obtain shelter, and that the situation
has resulted in a threat to the health and safety of those persons. In 2016, through the
enactment of Ordinance No. 57-16, the Board of Supervisors declared the existence of a
shelter crisis in San Francisco, based on findings that in January 2015, there were 6,686
individuals in San Francisco who were homeless. Since that time, the shelter crisis has
grown. According to the January 2017 Point in Time Homeless Count administered by the
Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH), there were approximately
7,499 people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco on a single night. Of those
persons, 58% were unsheltered, 21 % were under the age of 25 years, and 32% were over the
age of 51 years with attendant deteriorating physical and mental health.
(b) On October 2, 2018, Mayor London Breed declared her intent that the City add
1,000 new shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness, with half of the new beds
becoming available by the summer of 2019, and the remainder becoming available by 2020.
The beds will become available as a result of establishing new Navigation Centers, expanding
existing Navigation Centers, and opening a new type of shelter called a SAFE Center, a name
that stands for Shelter Access for Everyone.
(c) In early 2018, the Board of Supervisors enacted Ordinance No. 29-18, which
waived competitive bidding requirements for contracts and leases relating to a number of
identified Shelter Crisis Sites, as well as the City's existing Navigation Centers and homeless
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page
shelters. That ordinance allowed HSH to expedite the award of contracts and grants for
construction and services relating to homeless individuals, and to open three Navigation
Centers with 340 beds and a permanent supportive housing site with 51 units. However, the
expedited contracting and leasing authority that was granted by Ordinance No. 29-18 will
expire on March 1, 2019. It is in the public interest to extend this authority so long as the City
is experiencing a shelter crisis.
(d) In 2016, the Board of Supervisors enacted Ordinance No. 117-16, requiring the
City to open and operate six Navigation Centers to address street homelessness and connect
homeless people to health and mental health services, housing, and other benefits. The City
has complied with that mandate, and plans to expand upon this successful model of shelter
and service delivery. Ordinance No. 117-16 provided that once a Navigation Center opened,
it could operate for no more than two years without approval of extension of the time limit by
resolution of the Board of Supervisors. In light of the success of Navigation Centers, the
capital investments that are required to open a center, and the fact that Navigation Centers
have not been found to have had adverse impacts on the neighborhoods in which they have
been located, the Board of Supervisors has, in Resolution No. 180522, approved the
extension of two Navigation Centers beyond the two-year limit. For the same reasons, it is in
the public interest to permit Navigation Centers generally to operate longer than two years
without re-authorization. The City plans to expand upon the successful model of shelter and
service delivery with greater geographic diversity across a majority of supervisorial districts.
(e) For all HSH-funded projects that involve new construction, a change in use, or an
expansion of an existing use at a specific location, HSH complies with the requirements of
Administrative Code Chapter 79 (Citizens' Right-to-Know Act of 1998) and Chapter 79A by
providing community notice that it is considering approval of such a project, and by
establishing a process by which members of the public may obtain additional information
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 3
about the project, and submit comments. Before opening a new facility, HSH staff collaborate
with the member of the Board of Supervisors who represents the district in which the facility
will be located, to conduct a thorough community outreach process that includes, at a
minimum, written notice to neighbors located within 300 feet of the facility, information about
how neighbors may provide input into the proposed programming at the facility, and the
hosting of a community meeting. After opening a facility, HSH takes steps to ensure that its
immediate surroundings are kept clean and secure.
(f) The Planning Department has determined that the actions contemplated in this
ordinance comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources
Code Sections 21000 et seq.). Said determination is on file with the Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors in File No. 190047 and is incorporated herein by reference. The Board affirms
this determination.
(g) The Planning Department has determined that the actions contemplated in this
ordinance are consistent, on balance, with the City's General Plan and eight priority policies
Planning Code Section 101.1. The Board adopts these findings as its own. A copy of this
determination is on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors in File No. 190047, and is
incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. The Administrative Code is hereby amended by adding Chapter 21 B,
consisting of Sections 21 B.1, 21 B.2, 21 B.3, and 21 B.4, to read as follows:
CHAPTER 21B: COMMODITIES AND SERVICES RELATING TO PROJECTS
ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.
SECTION 21B.1. PURPOSE AND GOALS.
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page
In recognition ofthe fact that a significant number ofpersons ·within San Francisco lack the
ability to obtain shelter, resulting in a threat to the health and safety of those persons, and that such
threat constitutes a shelter crisis, the intent o{this Chapter 21B is to expedite the procurement of
professional and other services relating to Pro;ects Addressing Homelessness. For purposes of this
Chapter 21 B, "Pro;ects Addressing Homelessness" means pro;ects designed to prevent homelessness
through the provision of housing subsidies or other services, and proiects designed to provide shelter,
housing, food, and/or social services to people experiencing homelessness.
SECTION 21B.2. WAIVER OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS.
Notwithstanding Section 21.1 ofthe Administrative Code or any other provision ofthe
Municipal Code, the Department of Public Works and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive
Housing may enter into and/or amend contracts, including grants, for professional and other services
or commodities relating to Profects Addressing Homelessness without adhering to the requirements of
Section 21.1 or any other competitive procurement requirements. The power to amend such contracts
and grants extends to contracts and grants entered into prior to the effective date of the ordinance in
Board File No. 190047 enacting this Chapter 21B.
SECTION 21B.3. REPORTING.
Within one year oft he effective date oft his Chapter 21 B, and every year thereafter, the
Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and the Department of Public Works shall
submit to the Board of Supervisors a report that includes the following information for each contract or
grant that the department executed during the prior year without adhering to the requirements of
Section 21.1, pursuant to the authority in this Section 21B.3: the name ofthe contractor or grantee,· the
services to be provided under the contract or grant; the amount offimds conveyed,· the duration ofthe
contract or grant; and any measurable outcomes ofthe contract or grant.
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page
SECTION 21B.4. SUNSET PROVISION.
This Chapter 21B shall expire by operation of'!aw five years from its effective date, or on the
effective date of an ordinance making the finding that according to the most recent Point in Time
Homeless Count, there are fewer than 5,250 homeless persons in San Francisco, whichever date is
earlier. Upon expiration ofthis Chapter 21 B, the City Attorney shall cause this Chapter to be removed
from the Administrative Code.
Section 3. Article IV of Chapter 6 of the Administrative Code is hereby amended by
adding Section 6.76, to read as follows.
SECTION 6. 76. PUBLIC WORKS ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.
(a) The Department of Public Works is authorized to enter into and/or amend any contract for
any Public Work or Improvement, as defined in Administrative Code Section 6.1, including any
professional services for a Public Work or Improvement, without adherence to the requirements ofthis
Chapter 6, Administrative Code Chapters 12B and 14B, and the Environment Code,· provided,
however, that the Public Work or Improvement is for the construction, repair, or improvement of one or
more sites that will be used for the primary purpose ofproviding housing, shelter, or services to people
experiencing homelessness. The power to amend such contracts extends to contracts entered into prior
to the effective date of the ordinance in Board File No. 190047 enacting this Chapter 21B.
(k) This Section 6. 76 shall expire by operation o[law five years from its effective date, or on
the effective date of an ordinance making the finding that according to the most recent Point in Time
Homeless Count, there are fewer than 5,250 homeless persons in San Francisco, whichever date is
earlier. Upon expiration oft his Section 6. 7 6, the City Attorney shall cause this Section to be removed
from the Administrative Code.
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 6
SECTION 21B.4. SUNSET PROVISION.
This Chapter 21B shall expire by operation oflaw five years from its effective date, or on the
effective date ofan ordinance making the finding that according to the most recent Point in Time
Homeless Count, there are fewer than 5,250 homeless persons in San Francisco, whichever date is
earlier. Upon expiration ofthis Chapter 21 B, the City Attorney shall cause this Chapter to be removed
.from the Administrative Code.
Section 3. Article IV of Chapter 6 of the Administrative Code is hereby amended by
adding Section 6.76, to read as follows.
SECTION 6. 76. PUBLIC WORKS ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS.
(a) The Department of Public Works is authorized to enter into and/or amend any contract for
any Public Work or Improvement, as defined in Administrative Code Section 6.1, including any
professional services for a Public Work or Improvement, without adherence to the requirements ofthis
Chapter 6, Administrative Code Chapters 12B and 14B, and the Environment Code; provided,
however, that the Public Work or Improvement is for the construction, repair, or improvement of one or
more sites that will be used for the primary purpose ofproviding housing. shelter, or services to people
experiencing homelessness. The power to amend such contracts extends to contracts entered into prior
to the effective date ofthe ordinance in Board File No. 190047 enacting this Chapter 21 B.
(k) This Section 6. 76 shall expire by operation oflaw five years from its effective date, or on
the effective date of an ordinance making the finding that according to the most recent Point in Time
Homeless Count, there are fewer than 5,250 homeless persons in San Francisco, whichever date is
earlier. Upon expiration of this Section 6. 7 6, the City Attorney shall cause this Section to be removed
.from the Administrative Code.
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 6
Section 4. Chapter 106 of the Administrative Code is hereby amended by revising
Sections 106.1 and 106.3, to read as follows:
SEC. 106.1. NAVIGATION CENTERS REQUIRED.
As specified further in this Chapter 106, the City may open and operateshall open and
operate no fewer than six Navigation Centers to address street homelessness and connect
homeless people to health and mental health services, housing, benefits, and other services.
For purposes of this Chapter, "Navigation Center" means a temporary, low-barrier-to-entry
shelter that, through case management and social service programs, aids in moving
people off the streets and into permanent housing or transitional or stable supportive housing
that eventually leads to permanent housing.
SEC. 106.3. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.
* * * *
(b) 1Vavigation Centers shall be temporary facilities, and once opened shall operate on a
specific site for no fc,1•er than six months and no more than two years without approval of adjustment
or extension of the time limit by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
{b) The City may enter into grant agreements with nonprofit organizations to provide services
relating to Navigation Centers.
* * * *
Section 5. Article 2 of the Planning Code is hereby amended by modifying Section
210.3 as follows:
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
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SEC. 210.3. PDR DISTRICTS.
* * * *
(19) During a declared shelter crisis. Homeless Shelters that satisfj; the provisions of
California Government Code Section 8698. 4(a)(l) shall be P. principally permitted and may be
permanent. Otherwise. In this District, Homeless Shelter uses are permitted only with
Conditional Use authorization and only if each such use (a) would operate for no more than
four years, and (b) would be owned or leased by, operated by, and/or under the management
or day-to-day control of the City and County of San Francisco. If such a use is to be located
within a building or structure, the building or structure must be either (a) preexisting, having
been completed and previously occupied by a use other than a Homeless Shelter, or (b)
temporary. Other than qualifj;ing Homeless Shelters constructed during a declared shelter crisis. ln
this District, construction of a permanent structure or building to be used as a Homeless
Shelter is not permitted.
Section 6. Article 8 of the Planning Code is hereby amended by modifying Section 846
as follows:
SEC. 846. SALi - SERVICE/ARTS/LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT.
* * * *
SPECIFIC PROVISIONS FOR SALi DISTRICTS
Article Code
Other Code
Zoning Controls
Section
Section
Durine- a declared shelter crisis Homeless Shelters that satisfv
§ 846.23b
the vrovisions of California Government Code Section
§ 102
8698.4(a)(]) shall be P vrincivallv vermitted and mav be
§ 890.88(d)
lvermanent.
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page
Otherwise In this District, Homeless Shelter uses are
permitted only with Conditional Use authorization and only
if each such use (a) would operate for no more than four
years, and (b) would be owned or leased by, operated by,
and/or under the management or day-to-day control of the
City and County of San Francisco. If such a use is to be
located within a building or structure, the building or
structure must be either (a) preexisting, having been
completed and previously occupied by a use other than a
Homeless Shelter, or (b) temporary. Other than qualifying
Homeless Shelters constructed durinf! a declared shelter crisis,
r,: t.7~;:: :;::;::·;::', construction of a permanent structure or
building to be used as a Homeless Shelter is not permitted.
* * * *
* * * *
* * * *
Section 7. Effective Date; Retroactive Operation; Ratification of Prior Acts.
(a) This ordinance shall become effective 30 days after enactment. Enactment
when the Mayor signs the ordinance, the Mayor returns the ordinance unsigned or does not
sign the ordinance within ten days of receiving it, or the Board of Supervisors overrides the
Mayor's veto of the ordinance.
(b) Sections 2 and 3 of this ordinance (Chapter 21 Band Section 6.76 of the
Administrative Code, respectively) shall be retroactive to March 1, 2019.
(c) The Board of Supervisors hereby ratifies and confirms all actions taken by City
officials or City agencies in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 21 Band Section 6.76
of the Administrative Code, respectively, from March 1, 2019, to the effective date of this
ordinance.
Section 8.
Scope of Ordinance. In enacting this ordinance, the Board of Supervisors
intends to amend only those words, phrases, paragraphs, subsections, sections, articles,
numbers, punctuation marks, charts, diagrams, or any other constituent parts of the Municipal
Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page
Code that are explicitly shown in this ordinance as additions, deletions, Board amendment
additions, and Board amendment deletions in accordance with the "Note" that appears under
the official title of the ordinance.
Section 9.
Undertaking for the General Welfare. In enacting and implementing this
ordinance, the City is assuming an undertaking only to promote the general welfare. It is not
assuming, nor is it imposing on its officers and employees, an obligation for breach of which it
is liable in money damages to any person who claims that such breach proximately caused
injury.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DENNIS). HERRERA, City Attorney
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Mayor Breed; Supervisors Brown, Walton, Haney, Mandelman, Stefani
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Page 1
City and County of San Francisco
Tails
Ordinance
City Hall
I Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689
File Number:
190047
Date Passed: April 02, 2019
Ordinance amending the Administrative Code and Planning Code to streamline contracting for
homeless shelters, and siting of homeless shelters by, among other things, authorizing the
Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to enter into and amend contracts
without requiring competitive bidding for professional and other services relating to sites and
programs for people experiencing homelessness (Projects Addressing Homelessness); authorizing
Public Works to enter into and amend contracts without adhering to the Environment Code or to
provisions relating to competitive bidding, equal benefits, local business enterprise utilization, and
other requirements, for construction work and professional and other services relating to Projects
Addressing Homelessness; permitting Homeless Shelters in PDR (Production Distribution Repair)
and SALi (Service/Arts/Light Industrial) Districts; authorizing HSH to operate Navigation Centers for
more than two years; affirming the Planning Department's determination under the California
Environmental Quality Act; and making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight
priority policies of Planning Code, Section 101.1.
March 11, 2019 Land Use and Transportation Committee - AMENDED, AN AMENDMENT
OF THE WHOLE BEARING SAME TITLE
March 11, 2019 Land Use and Transportation Committee - RECOMMENDED AS
AMENDED
March 19, 2019 Board of Supervisors - PASSED ON FIRST READING
Ayes: 11 - Brown, Fewer, Haney, Mandelman, Mar, Peskin, Ronen, Safai, Stefani,
Walton and Yee
April 02, 2019 Board of Supervisors - Fl NALLY PASSED
City and County of San Francisco
Ayes: 11 - Brown, Fewer, Haney, Mandelman, Mar, Peskin, Ronen, Safai, Stefani,
Walton and Yee
Pagel
Printed ,a 1:52pm on 4/3/19
File No. 190047
City llnd County of Slln Fmncisco
Pllge2
I hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance was FINALLY PASSED on
4/2/2019 by the Board of Supervisors of the
City and County of San Francisco.
Date Approved
Printed llt 1:52 pm on 4/3/19
