San Francisco Youth Commission
Housing, Environment and City Services
Minutes
Thursday, January 14, 2016
5:15-7:15 PM
City Hall, Room 345
1. Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl.
San Francisco, CA 94102

There will be public comment on each item.

Members: Giovanna Soto, Erica Kong, Lily Marshall-Fricker, Jarrett Mao
and Cris Plunkett

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

Chair Soto called the meeting to order at 5:25pm. Commissioners present: Giovanna Soto, Lily Marshall-Fricker, and Jarrett Mao. Commissioner Plunkett noted present at 5:28pm. Staff present: Leah LaCroix. There was quorum.

There was no public comment.

2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)

Commissioner Mao, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker moved to approve the agenda. There was no public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

3. Approval of Minutes (Action Item)

A. December 17, 2015
(Document A)

Commissioner Mao, seconded by Commissioner Marshall-Fricker, moved to approve the minutes. There was public comment. The motion was approved by acclamation.

4. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda (Discussion Only)

Carolyn Duong (Lowell), Christina Luong (Lowell), and Wan Chi (Victoria) Li (Lincoln) introduced themselves to the committee. The identified as members of the CYC-Bayview Youth Advocates, an organization that seeks to empower the underserved youth in the south east sector of San Francisco to advocate issues that affect them.

There was no further public comment.

5. Presentations (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Presentation on Larkin Street Youth Advisory Board research on Homeless Youth
Presenter: Taylor Muer, Larkin Street Youth Advisory Board (YAB)

Staff inform the committee that the presenter, Ms. Taylor Muer, regretfully informed staff that she could not attend the committee meeting, and wished to reschedule her presentation.

Commissioner Mao, seconded by Chair Soto, motioned to table this item until the next committee meeting. There was no public comment on this item. The motion passed by acclamation.

B. Presentation on 2015 Homeless Youth Count and Survey
Presenter: Commissioner Cris Plunkett

Commissioner Plunkett informed the committee that the San Francisco Homeless Youth Count and Survey was established in 2013 in response to recognizing that little was known about the population of youth under the age of 25 in the city. Since that time, San Francisco has conducted a dedicated homeless youth count every two years, in conjunction with the total homeless population count.

San Francisco conducted a dedicated count and survey of unaccompanied homeless children and Transition-Age-Youth under the age of 25 with oversight provided by the San Francisco Local Homeless Coordinating Board (LHCB). The youth count was conducted between the hours of 5PM and 9PM, slightly earlier in the evening when unaccompanied children and transitional-age-youth were more likely to be visible. A shelter count was conducted the evening of January 29, 2015 and included all individuals staying in: emergency shelters, transitional housing facilities, domestic violence shelters, and institutional settings. The Youth Serving Agencies involved in the count include Larkin Street Youth Services, At the Crossroads, Homeless Youth Alliance, Youth Community Developers, and LYRIC.

The San Francisco Youth Homeless Count had two primary components; an individual youth count and survey, and a youth specific counted along with the general homeless count.

Commissioner Plunkett reviewed the data from the homeless youth count, and survey, including analysis by supervisorial district, gender identification, sexual orientation and LQBTQ identity, total unaccompanied children and transitional-age youth population estimates, race and ethnicity, residency and prior living arrangements, cause of homelessness, length and reoccurrence of homelessness, education and employment, health status, violence and crime, obstacles to obtaining permanent housing, services and assistance, and need of government assistance.

Chair Soto asked about the process of gathering the data for the Homeless Youth Count and survey. Commissioner Plunkett described the methodology used in conducing the count and survey. He also emphasized that there are likely a more homeless youth not captured in the date due to the sigma around identifying as homeless.

Chair Soto requested staff send an electronic copy of the PowerPoint presentation. Staff noted the request.

6. Business (All Items to Follow Discussion and Possible Action)

A. Review and discuss committee priorities

The committee reviewed their current priorities—the Affordable Housing Bonus Program (AHBP), Park Equity, Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) housing, and homelessness amongst youth and their families.

Commissioner Plunkett expressed interest in addressing homelessness among youth in San Francisco.

Staff asked if there were other priorities that committee is interested in researching. Chair Soto asked about the annual cost of Free Muni for Youth. Staff informed that they will contact the SFMTA office for the information. Commissioner Mao asked is staff could also research the Board of Supervisor votes and dissenting opinion on FMFY. Staff noted the request. The committee requested a presentation on the Free Muni for Youth (FMFY) program for its upcoming meeting. Staff noted the request.

Staff informed the committee that Commissioner Kong expressed interest in water conservation issues, and wishes to meet with representatives from the Public Utilities Commission.

Commissioner Marshall Fricker will work with staff on updates on the Park Equity priority.

Commissioner Mao informed the committee that the planning commission will be hearing the Affordable Housing Bonus Program legislation at their January 21, 2016 meeting. Staff reminded the committee that the Planning Commission meets at 12 noon, and encouraged those who are interested in the issue to attend the meeting, or watch the proceeding on SFGOVTV. Commissioner Mao asked for an update on the planning commission meeting at the next Housing, Environment, and City Services committee meeting. Staff noted the request.

There was no public comment.

B. Review and update on current pertinent legislation

Staff informed the committee on legislation introduced at the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, January 12, 2016. The committee expressed interest in the following legislation;

• Legislation urging healthy snacks on city property sponsored by Supervisor Ferrell
• Legislation calling for gender neutral bathrooms on city property sponsored by supervisor Campos
• Proposed charter amendment on affordable housing sponsored by Supervisor Jane Kim

There was no public comment.

7. Executive Committee Report

Commissioner Plunkett informed the committee on the discussions at Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Executive committee meeting. He mentioned a local partisan club interest in receiving an informational presentation on Vote16, and reminded the committee about the upcoming Youth Commission Mid-Year Retreat.

Commissioner Mao informed that the Board of Advising Youth (BAY) will be receiving a presentation on Vote16 at their upcoming meeting.

There was no public comment.

8. Staff Report

Staff remained the committee about the Mid-Year Retreat on Saturday January 16, 2016, and Sunday, January 17, 2016, and informed commissioner about the committee breakout time on Sunday.

Staff also informed the committee about events in February and March which commissioners were invited to participate—further details will be announce as they are received.

There was no public comment.

9. Adjournment

Chair Soto adjourned the meeting at 6:30pm.