The Homelessness Oversight Commission voted Feb. 14 to approve a contract with We Hope to operate a new low-barrier shelter, the Gerald Commons, in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. The Commons will combine cabins and RV spaces and serve up to 98 guests.

Acting shelter manager Louis Bracco told the commission the Commons "will include a mix of 60 cabins for up to 68 guests, as well as 20 RV spaces for up to 30 guests. The program will serve up to 98 guests in total." He said the project was awarded through a competitive RFP, and the contract includes budgeted staff and support services including on-site medical services arranged with Shelter Health.

Why it matters: The site expands non-congregate and vehicle-accommodation shelter options in District 10, a neighborhood HSH identified for priority placements from the homeless outreach team. HSH said the hybrid model responds to local need for vehicle parking spaces and non-congregate shelter beds.

Funding and services: Bracco said the contract budget is $8,535,582 plus a 15% contingency (total not to exceed $9,815,920), funded by a mix of state and local sources: state behavioral health bridge housing funds (~54%), state encampment resolution fund (~30%), and city Prop C/Our City Our Home (~16%). The budgeted staff size is 46.5 FTEs; on-site amenities will include bathrooms, showers, laundry, two meals per day, a medical clinic in partnership with Shelter Health, and case management.

Commission action: Commissioners moved and seconded approval; a roll-call vote recorded ayes by Chair Jonathan Butler, Vice Chair Kristen Evans, Commissioner Katie Albright, Commissioner Dina Aslanian Williams and Commissioner Bevan Dufty. The item carried and the department will proceed with contracting steps and site pre-opening activities.

Next steps: HSH said Gerald Commons is expected to launch in early April 2025, with placement priority for people identified by the homeless outreach team from unsheltered encampments and vehicle occupants in the Bayview community. HSH will oversee provider implementation and the department cited ongoing collaboration with DPH on site health services.