SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – With the Tenderloin Center now closed, San Francisco is moving forward with its plan to combat homelessness and drug addiction in the city's most vulnerable neighborhoods.
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The center opened in January this as part of Mayor London Breed's state of emergency declaration for the Tenderloin.
With the services provided at the 1172 Market Street location, overdoses were reversed and people were able to access healthcare and support. Over 200 people were placed in permanent housing through the center.
But officials announced in June that the center would close in December.
Now, those who show up the center seeking care will instead get referrals to other community nonprofits able to step in and fill the gap.
The city health department hopes to open up two wellness community hubs in the next year specifically in neighborhoods disproportionately suffering from overdoses and drug use.
The Tenderloin is one of the top priority neighbhorhoods on the docket for one of these hubs. Leaders hope that the center will provide a model for a more permanent solution.
"One place where they know they can get help," said California State Sen. Scott Wiener, who represents San Francisco. "It's a really solid model."
"I think we need to continue to move in that direction," he said. "Even if it's not at this exact site, it's a good model."
This year Wiener introduced a safe consumption site bill into the state legislature only for it to be vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Despite the bill being vetoed, Wiener thinks San Francisco should move ahead with a site without state approval.
In the meantime, community organizations will be able to ensure people don’t fall through the cracks without the center for now.
"I'm confident that we will see the services offered being offered elsewhere," said Wiener. "I think there’s a lot of unity in city hall in making sure that we are helping those on the street get healthy."
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