Shelter Minimum Standards Legislation Postponed, Probably to February 20
The public hearing for groundbreaking new legislation that will bring us further toward ending abuse and ensuring sanitary conditions in City-funded shelters has been rescheduled from Wednesday, January 30. The probable new date is Wednesday, February 20, but watch this space for updates.
We will hold a rally on the steps of City Hall at 12:00 noon, and then the rally will be inside in Room 250.
Shelter Standards Highlights
If this legislation passes, all SF funded shelters would be required to:
- Treat residents with dignity and respect
- Ensure a safe environment free from violence
- Provide toilet paper, hand soap, and dryers
- Provide clean sheets and blankets
- Provide a pillow and towels
- Provide fresh drinking water
- Have first aid kits on-hand
- Make reasonable accommodation for meals
- Incorporate a nutritionist into meal-planning
- Ensure that residents have facilities to sleep for eight hours
- Guarantee daytime access in 24-hour shelters
- Provide electricity for cell phones
- Allow free local calls
- Provide materials in Spanish and English
- Require staff to wear badges
- Have a disaster plan
- Provide bus tokens for appointments
- Post public notice of meetings
- Provide access to free laundry
- Provide a minimum stay of seven nights (except CAAP beds)
- Train staff
Non-compliant shelters will be fined if they do not take corrective action.
We need your voice to make sure this legislation passes!
This legislation brought to you by Coalition on Homelessness, Shelter Monitoring Committee and is endorsed by many organizations including St. Anthony Foundation, GAAP, POWER and more.
For more information call 346.3740.
We are still accepting endorsements: Please call 346.3740 for arrangements.
COH