(a) Several City departments, including the Department of Emergency Management, Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, Department of Public Health, and Fire Department (the “SF Coordinated Street Response Departments”) have dedicated street teams that provide emergency crisis response and outreach services to address behavioral health, medical, and/or homeless-related issues, including mental health crises, wellbeing concerns, drug overdoses, and homeless encampments on the City’s streets and in public spaces.
(b) In November 2023, the Budget and Legislative Analyst (“BLA”) published a report outlining its findings and recommendations from a performance audit of the City’s street teams. The report is on file with the Board of Supervisors in File No. 240805. In its report, the BLA reviewed the street teams’ structures as well as how the SF Coordinated Street Response Departments manage and coordinate street teams. The BLA found several opportunities to improve and streamline the efficiency and effectiveness of the SF Coordinated Street Response Departments’ planning, coordination, and communications. The BLA issued a series of recommendations, including that the SF Coordinated Street Response Departments provide the Board of Supervisors regular reports concerning street teams’ goals, outcomes, and barriers to achieving the goals.
(Added by Ord. 251-24, File No. 240805, App. 11/7/2024, Eff. 12/8/2024)