San Francisco Outreach Workers Face Challenges Moving Homeless to Shelters

Despite increased shelter availability, many homeless individuals are reluctant to leave the streets due to various personal and logistical reasons.

Outreach workers in San Francisco struggle to fill available shelter beds despite more resources and a mayoral mandate against outdoor living.
Complex issues such as substance abuse and personal preferences often lead to rejections of shelter offers.
Trust-building is a critical part of the outreach process, with workers repeatedly engaging with homeless individuals over time.
Some homeless people, like Mellie M., seek more secure housing options due to past traumatic experiences.
The city’s crackdown on encampments has slightly increased acceptance of shelter offers, but challenges remain.