SF homeless tents reach lowest level since 2019

The number of tents on San Francisco streets continues to decline, with a 62% drop since this time last year, and an 80% drop since the COVID peak. It's the lowest level the city has recorded since records began in 2018.

The Facts

San Francisco counted just 222 tents citywide in April 2025, a 62% decline from the same time last year, marking the lowest number since city officials began tracking in 2018. Notably, tents in the Mission District fell dramatically from 92 to only 9, according to the Chronicle.

Image credit: SF Chronicle

The Context

The decline in tents began under former Mayor London Breed, and has continued under Mayor Lurie. The Lurie administration has enlisted the help of the Department of Emergency Management, rather than rely on SFPD or homeless nonprofits, to address the issue. This approach appears to be working, with the mobile triage unit at 6th Street seeing over 12,000 visits in the first month of operations.

The reduction is attributed to increased enforcement—including arrests and citations—and the opening of additional shelter beds.

The GrowSF Take

This progress shows that targeted, consistent enforcement paired with expanded shelter capacity makes a real difference. The Lurie administration should continue in its effort to stand up new shelters, and ensure that the highest need people get specialized care.