San Francisco Mayor Orders Homeless Relocation Program

San Francisco Mayor London Breed has issued an executive order mandating city officials to offer one-way bus tickets to homeless individuals before providing any housing or shelter services, citing a growing number of homeless people arriving from outside the city. According to a recent survey, 40% of unsheltered individuals did not originate from San Francisco, prompting Breed to assert that the city cannot continue to support those who come for services. This policy marks a significant shift from previous approaches, as the city faces capacity issues in its shelters and ongoing challenges with homelessness. The order is part of Breed's broader 'journey home' program, which aims to enhance accountability and service provision for the homeless population, with directives set to be implemented by September 1, 2024. Critics, including Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, have accused the mayor of attempting to cover up her administration's shortcomings. The new directive follows the Supreme Court's ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on public sleeping, leading to recent sweeps of homeless encampments across the city.