San Francisco, CA— Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Jeff Kositsky, Director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing announced the opening of a new permanent supportive housing site at the National Hotel at a celebration of the ongoing success of the Winton Hotel. The National Hotel began welcoming formerly chronically homeless individuals in April and the Winton has been in operation since last fall, serving formerly chronically homeless individuals and veterans.
“For every supportive housing bed we add in San Francisco, we are taking one person off the streets and out of our encampments,” said Mayor Lee. “These hotels are a critical part of our permanent supportive housing plans and represent an important step forward in our efforts to end chronic homelessness in San Francisco, particularly among veterans.”
The National Hotel, 1139 Market Street, was constructed in 1906 and acquired by THC in April. The National will be home to 100 formerly chronically homeless individuals. The Winton houses 102 formerly chronically homeless individuals and veterans.
With the opening of the Crown, the Winton and the National hotels the City has increased its supply of permanent supportive housing by 254 units to 7,066 units in total.
“We are thrilled to see the National and Winton open.” Said Jeff Kositsky, director of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. “Much more than homes, these buildings will provide each tenant with a renewed sense of hope and community.”
Supportive Housing is a nationally recognized best practice in ending homelessness that combines long term affordability with onsite social services to ensure that our most vulnerable residents can maintain their housing and improve their health. This expansion is possible with collaboration and funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the San Francisco Housing Authority, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and the Tenderloin Housing Clinic. By leveraging federal housing programs like Shelter Plus Care with local resources we can provide long term affordable housing and support services to end chronic homelessness. Supportive housing is not time limited and tenants are welcome to stay in the housing as long as they need or want.
Support services vary based on the specific needs of tenants and the funding for the specific program.
“The opening of this desperately needed housing for homeless persons highlights the collaboration between building owner Dipak Patel, the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Mayor Lee.” Said Randy Shaw, executive director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic. “It is a model for city efforts to reduce homelessness.”
