SF Pretrial is excited to announce 51 new hotel rooms for our clients. We have been fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have seen firsthand the dangers and detriment clients face when they lack housing in the midst of a public health crisis. Eligibility is based on referrals from the Courts to SF Pretrial’s release and supervision programs.
We’d like to extend special thanks to Adult Probation for funding the rooms and amenities, Tipping Point for a $100,000 grant, and SF New Deal for their donation of restaurant-quality meals that will continue to feed our clients. These new housing units were provided in response to a proposal by the Public Defender, District Attorney, and our agency, and their support for safe and supportive housing for individuals released from jail has been invaluable. SF Pretrial could not adequately serve these clients without funding and support from the Sheriff, Mayor’s Office, Board of Supervisors and our partnerships with the Superior Court, Department of Public Health, Recovery Survival Network and many other community agencies.
Throughout our time working with clients who have been released from jail and await trial, we have seen firsthand the stress and uncertainty that justice involvement creates. These issues are only exacerbated when our clients lack basic resources like housing. In addition to sustaining shelter and safe hygiene, our new supportive housing units will facilitate individualized client support through onsite case management, support groups, and connections to important community resources. Through SF Pretrial’s partnership with Episcopal Community Services, all of our clients will be interviewed with the goal of situating many of them with a permanent supportive housing solution. By providing a community-based alternative to detention, we can support the reduction of the jail population and focus our efforts on client needs while addressing public safety.