San Francisco has passed an ordinance allowing existing tourist hotels and motels to be used as interim housing without abandoning their hotel use classification. This amendment to the Planning Code and Building Code removes the previous restriction that emergency housing had to be located on city-owned or leased land. The measure aims to address homelessness by utilizing underutilized hotels and motels as transitional housing with supportive services. The ordinance ensures that the properties retain their hotel classification, allowing them to return to tourism use if needed. The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) will coordinate relocation efforts for residents if the hotel or motel ceases interim housing operations.
This ordinance provides a flexible solution to address homelessness in San Francisco by repurposing vacant or underutilized hotels and motels as transitional housing. It ensures that properties can serve as temporary shelters without permanently losing their hotel status, balancing economic recovery and social needs.