(a) The Homeward Bound Program (“Program”) is hereby established to provide eligible individuals the opportunity to receive travel and relocation support paid by the City to a destination where the individual has a family member, friend, employer, or other individual who is willing to receive and support the Program participant. The Program includes City relocation and reunification programs and allows flexibility for HSA and HSH to design such programs to meet the needs of different communities. HSA shall be the primary agency to oversee coordination and reporting for the Program. HSH, in coordination with HSA, may offer the Program through any of its services and programs, and is responsible for managing referrals and reporting requirements from non-profit community-based organizations. The Executive Director of HSA and the Executive Director of HSH each may adopt such rules and regulations as the Executive Director deems necessary and proper for the administration of the Program for their respective department.
(b) The following individuals shall be eligible to participate in the Program:
(1) Individuals experiencing homelessness in San Francisco.
(2) Individuals who recently experienced homelessness or are experiencing housing instability, such as individuals residing in permanent supportive housing.
(3) Recipients of, or applicants for, any County Adult Assistance Program provided by HSA.
(4) Individuals at risk of homelessness.
(c) The following individuals shall not be eligible to participate in the Program:
(1) Individuals on parole or probation, unless they have received approval from their parole agent or probation officer and the individual is authorized by law to move to a different jurisdiction.
(2) Individuals who are not otherwise qualified as persons with disabilities afforded reasonable modification to policy under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or who are unable to travel alone because they pose a direct risk to themselves or others.
(3) Individuals who are not sober at the time when the individual will begin travel and, to the extent known by HSA or HSH staff or contractors of HSA or HSH, individuals who are unable to abstain from drinking alcohol or using illicit substances while traveling to their destination. HSA or HSH staff or contractors of HSA or HSH may delay travel until the individual is sober or refer individuals with serious alcohol or illicit substance use to a sobering center or medically-supported detoxification before such individuals can participate in the Program.
(4) Individuals who have used the Homeward Bound Program, or any similar relocation and reunification program offered by HSA or HSH, within the previous two years. To prevent an individual at risk of homelessness from becoming homeless, the Executive Director of HSA and the Executive Director of HSH each have the discretion to waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis.
(5) A minor traveling with an adult, unless the adult is the parent or guardian of the minor and the adult has photo identification and birth certificate or other legal verification for the minor proving that the adult is the minor’s parent or guardian.
(Added by Ord. 69-24, File No. 231226, App. 4/4/2024, Eff. 5/5/2024)