Click here to read about Sanctuary's new garden project.

The Sanctuary (formerly The Episcopal Sanctuary) provides emergency shelter to homeless adults who register through the city of San Francisco. 70% of the 198 beds at the Sanctuary are reserved for those on General Assistance (now called CAAP). This is in response to the Care-Not-Cash initiative implemented in 2004, which prioritized housing in lieu of cash for General Assistance recipients.

The Episcopal Sanctuary has been as a twenty four hour facility since November 2005. Participants have full access to the shelter daily and do not have to leave the facility. Daily activities and Support Services are made available to everyone. The activities sponsored by six of our Collaborative agencies include Pre-screening for Transitional Housing; HIV Prevention; Drugs and Relationships; Expungements; Depression; Getting out of prostitution; T.B.Prevention and Screening; and the Women's Clinic.

In the past year, nearly 33% of Sanctuary clients were fifty years or older; 40% had experienced chronic mental health issues and over 60% had problems with alcohol and other drug use. Those clients who opt for case management support are referred to on-site and off-site services in medical care, treatment of substance use, mental health, and other needs.

Many Sanctuary clients are homeless seniors. Seniors have designated shelter beds and earlier access in order to have extra time and space for evening preparations. During the day, they can enjoy programs and a daily hot lunch at the ECS Senior Center. Homeless elders comprise almost a quarter of Senior Center's clientele.

The Sanctuary is fully open 24 hours a day, seven days per week for all clients. The 24-hour availability of a bed and a place to be off the streets is particularly helpful for extremely vulnerable homeless elders.

Next Door
Winter Interfaith Shelter