There are more homeless on the streets of San Francisco than at any time in the past 20 years – 7,305 according to a recent homeless census. The true number lies in the range of 12,500 when those in transitional and permanent supportive housing programs are included. This accords with the expanded definition of homelessness by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing estimates that as many as 14,000 people are living on the streets of San Francisco on any given night.

By contrast, New York City, a city 10 times larger than San Francisco, has far fewer homeless
on its streets – approximately 3,000. The reason for the discrepancy does not lie entirely with climate. And contrary to popular opinion, it is not a complicated matter. When it comes to the homeless, San Francisco gets what it pays for.

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