Challenge: End the crisis conditions of street homelessness

Francis of Assisi—the name sake of San Francisco—famously challenged himself and others to take action when facing humanitarian issues: “First do what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and soon you will be doing the impossible.”

Saint Francis Challenge (SFC) was founded in San Francisco in 2015 with a mission to end the crisis conditions of street homelessness.

Do What’s Necessary. Do what’s Possible. Innovate for the greater good.

After a decade of innovative action, SFC continues to serve our mission by developing, advocating for, and implementing scalable models and policies to end the crisis conditions of homelessness—including the particular challenges of unsheltered homelessness, housing insecurity, interim shelter, and supported housing.

Mission & Activities

Since 2015, Saint Francis Challenge has worked towards ending the crisis conditions of street homelessness by:

• Providing direct services at encampments—including portable toilets, trash removal, mobile sleeping cabins, food, clothing, and health supplies, linkage to service providers, volunteer events, organizing, etc.

• Developing and piloting SFC’s SOS (Safe Organized Spaces/Supported Outdoor Shelter) policy and operations resources for activating underutilized public/private land with community-integrated supported shelter

• Developing and piloting SFC’s Resident Steward Model and BEST places framework in support of Belonging, Essential needs, Shared Agreements, and Teamwork at encampments, shelter, and supported housing

• Utilizing trauma-informed care as a foundation to support healing, stability, co-living, and community-integration

• Conducting in-person and online outreach and education for petitions, site specific projects, and advocacy campaigns

• Organizing with local, regional, and state-level stakeholders to develop actionable solutions—including currently/formerly unsheltered residents, impacted neighbors, service and advocacy organizations, and government officials

• Advocating for SOS village pilots and sufficient interim shelter in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and throughout California

• Seeking partnerships with funders to fund SOS pilots in San Francisco, throughout California, and in the SW region

• Building upon our local, statewide, & national network of advocates, service providers, policy experts, and government officials

SOS Proposal for 180 Jones (2019-2020)

SOS Pilot at Impact Hub (2017-2018)

Organizing with Encampment Residents & Volunteers (2015-2020)

Founder/Director: Amy Farah Weiss (Ames/AFW)

SF Chronicle: “With an extra $492 million to spend, S.F. needs a plan to end street homelessness” by AFW (9/2020)

SF Examiner: “Addressing SF’s anticipated shelter service gaps with Safe Organized Spaces” by AFW (3/2019)

SF Chronicle: "A better approach to homeless encampments" by AFW (10/2016)