The city of San Francisco is saving federal taxpayers more than $423 million spent housing nearly 5,000 homeless people in hotels and other “non-congregate” facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are asking for support to cover the costs.
The total cost for each homeless person housed by the city of San Francisco during the pandemic was $84,600. according to According to data reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco city officials say the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse the city $190 million to provide housing to homeless people during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Although there were hopes, the rule change could put the city in a spending crunch.
San Francisco and other cities in California accommodated Homeless people staying in hotels during the pandemic to ensure social distancing and reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Related: Democratic official blames 'capitalism' for San Francisco's homelessness problem)
In October 2023, FEMA announced that it would not reimburse local governments for many hotel stays longer than 20 days from June 2021 to May 2023, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
City officials said FEMA's move to not provide refunds for some hotel stays longer than 20 days is “troubling.”[s] “a significant potential risk to San Francisco's budget.” Democratic San Francisco Mayor London Breed said the city's budget deficit could reach $1 billion by fiscal year 2028. according to In the San Francisco Chronicle.
Some city officials argue that FEMA's policy change is unfair. San Francisco City Commissioner Ben Rosenfield characterized FEMA's action as “impermissible retroactivity” and claimed that FEMA had never mentioned the 20-day limit during the pandemic, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. reported.
People and their belongings seen on Jones Street in San Francisco on November 13, 2023. San Francisco is struggling to clean up its city ahead of hosting world and business leaders. (Photo by Jason Henry/AFP via Getty Images)
San Francisco officials are prepared to fight for federal reimbursement. “We intend to consider all options available to us to contest claims that have been denied by FEMA Region 9 and appear to be eligible for reimbursement based on guidance in effect at the time,” Rosen said. Mr. Field said.
Regardless of whether San Francisco succeeds in getting FEMA to reimburse hotel spending, taxpayers will foot the bill. If San Francisco pays, city taxpayers will be responsible; if FEMA pays, federal taxpayers will be responsible.
The city of San Francisco has successfully cleared some neighborhoods of homeless encampments ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to San Francisco in November.
San Francisco isn't the only city charging high prices to house homeless people in hotels. The city of Los Angeles is considering spending $250 million to acquire eight luxury hotels and motels for the homeless starting in May 2023.
Other Democratic-run cities around the country include: Chicago and New York State are facing budget strains due to the ongoing immigration crisis. appealed Seek financial assistance from the federal government.
The San Francisco Mayor and Supervisor's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation. FEMA also did not respond to a request for comment.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
