Why S.F.’s homeless ordinance changed

The San Francisco Planning Code did not include a definition for homeless shelters and was out of compliance with state law. So in December 2014, the Planning Department adopted a definition that matches how shelters are operated in San Francisco. Previously, homeless shelters offered services that fell under a definition of “hotel use,” that is, temporary emergency stays of less than a month. Operations that allowed longer stays, typically 90 days, fell under a legal definition of “group homes.” The 525 Fifth St. shelter and others were out of compliance with state law because they were opened decades ago for “hotel use” but operate more like group homes.

Brant Ward / The Chronicle Makeshift shelters serve as housing at Fifth and Bryant streets, near the current St. Vincent de Paul homeless shelter and future development.