The San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing announced on Feb. 14 that it will require city-funded, site-based permanent supportive housing providers to adopt and enforce site-specific weapons policies incorporated into tenant leases.

Director Shereen McSpadden told the Homelessness Oversight Commission that HSH had worked with the city attorney to develop the policy "to the most robust weapons policy possible within the confines of state and federal law." McSpadden said the department will issue a template lease addendum and provide it to providers this month.

Why it matters: Site-based permanent supportive housing (PSH) houses tenants under lease agreements; HSH said the new requirement aims to lower on-site violence and clarify expectations and enforcement for tenants and guests. The policy is distinct from shelter rules and is targeted to housing where tenants have leases.

Policy details: McSpadden said the template lease addendum will specify that it is a lease breach for a tenant or a guest to "possess a weapon in violation of California state law, fail to securely store that weapon, especially in the presence of minors, threaten anybody with a weapon, sell a weapon, or fail to notify management in the event a weapon or ammunition is stolen from the premises." HSH said the requirement focuses on site-based PSH and that HSH already enforces a separate weapons policy for shelter programs.

Implementation and limits: HSH staff said they worked with the city attorney to craft the policy within state and federal legal limits; McSpadden emphasized this is a rollout for sites where tenants hold leases rather than for emergency shelters. The department will provide template lease language to providers and hold meetings with provider leadership to support consistent implementation. HSH said it held a provider leadership meeting about the policy the day before the commission meeting.

What commissioners and providers said: Commissioners welcomed the announcement and asked for clarity on timelines and enforcement. Commissioners also noted the need to coordinate with the Department of Public Health and other partners on safety and behavioral supports at housing sites.

Next steps: HSH will distribute the template lease addendum to providers, advise on incorporation into leases, and monitor provider adoption. The department said it will provide technical assistance to ensure consistent implementation across the PSH portfolio.