Homelessness and addiction are not just challenges we face here in San Francisco. For several years, they defined our city.
That narrative didn’t always capture the full story of our city, but it also wasn’t entirely wrong.
When more than 800 people died of overdose in 2023, how could we expect San Franciscans—or anyone else—to feel like we were at our best as a city?
I felt like we had lost our way.
When I would take my kids to school, I couldn’t explain to them why someone was doing drugs in a bus stop at 8:00 in the morning. And I couldn’t explain to them why we weren’t doing anything about it.
So I ran for mayor to change it.
Today, San Franciscans feel like our city is on the right track, and, I’m proud to announce incredible progress:
➡️Unsheltered homelessness in San Francisco is now at its lowest level in 15 years.
➡️Since 2024, unsheltered homelessness is down 22%.
➡️The number of people in tents is down 85%.
➡️And homelessness is down overall.
➡️ Nearly 1,000 fewer people are sleeping on our streets compared to 2024—a major sign that our strategy is working.
These numbers come from the 2026 Point in Time Count. And while the data is preliminary, the takeaway is clear: More people are coming inside to get shelter and treatment, and we are moving in the right direction.