Dear HSH Partners and Stakeholders,
Since joining the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) four months ago, I have had the opportunity to meet with many of our nonprofit partners, community stakeholders, and City colleagues. These conversations have reinforced my appreciation for the critical work you do every day and the importance of strong partnerships in addressing homelessness in San Francisco.
Over the past several months, we have been working to strengthen HSH's organizational structure, leadership capacity, and coordination across teams to better support our partners, improve accountability, and advance our shared goal of helping people experiencing homelessness move toward lasting stability. We have also secured approval to hire or backfill 10 non-management positions to strengthen the Department's capacity.
I am pleased to share several leadership appointments and organizational updates that will help position HSH to deliver on these priorities.
Sarah Locher – Deputy Director of Informatics and Systems
Sarah is stepping into an expanded leadership role overseeing HSH's newly established Informatics and Systems Division. This division will bring together Data & Performance, CalAIM, IT, and the ONE System to strengthen how HSH uses data and technology to inform decision-making, improve coordination, and measure results. Sarah's leadership will be especially important as we continue working with providers to strengthen performance management and improve how information supports service delivery.
Jessica Kaushal – Deputy Director of Strategy and Transformation
Jessica is joining HSH after serving as Assistant Chief of Health and Human Services in the Mayor's Office. She brings extensive experience working across City departments and with HSH leadership. Reporting directly to me, Jessica will oversee HSH's Planning Team, lead strategic planning, and provide cross-department leadership on high-priority initiatives, including the redesign and multiyear reprocurement of approximately $700 million in contracted services. Her leadership will help strengthen coordination and advance meaningful improvements throughout the Homelessness Response System.
Dylan Schneider – Deputy Director of Administration and Finance
After serving in an acting capacity since March, Dylan has been permanently appointed Deputy Director of Administration and Finance. Dylan brings tremendous experience and a deep commitment to HSH's mission. Her division will bring together Budget, Finance, Contracts, Human Resources, and Real Estate, strengthening the Department's administrative infrastructure and our ability to support and oversee contracted services.
Christine Rolan – Acting Finance Director
Christine will serve as Acting Finance Director, overseeing HSH's Budget and Finance teams and reporting to Dylan. Having served as the Department's Budget Director since 2022, Christine brings extensive financial expertise and institutional knowledge to this role. Her leadership will help strengthen financial planning, oversight, and the effective stewardship of public resources.
Steve Adami – Director of Recovery Services & Initiatives
I am also pleased to announce that we have hired Steve Adami as HSH's new Director of Recovery Services & Initiatives. Steve brings deep experience designing and leading recovery-focused programs, behavioral health services, and initiatives supporting people experiencing homelessness and those involved in the justice system.
Most recently, Steve served as Executive Director of The Salvation Army's The Way Out, a recovery-focused homelessness initiative in San Francisco. Previously, he led the Reentry Division at the San Francisco Adult Probation Department, where he oversaw reentry and recovery services and coordinated San Francisco's Reentry Council. He holds a Master of Public Administration from San Francisco State University.
Steve will lead a newly established Recovery Services & Initiatives team within HSH's Programs Division. The team will focus on developing, implementing, and strengthening recovery-focused and drug-free program models across the Homelessness Response System. Steve will report to the Deputy Director of Programs and oversee a newly created Program Manager of Recovery Services & Initiatives position, which has not yet been posted.
This appointment reflects our recognition that we need to do more to support people who are in recovery or interested in pursuing recovery. We remain committed to meeting people where they are and building a diverse Homelessness Response System that responds to the diverse needs of our community. For some individuals, that includes access to recovery-focused services and drug-free environments. Strengthening these options complements our continued commitment to low-barrier, person-centered services and provides additional pathways to stability.
We look forward to working closely with our nonprofit providers, the Department of Public Health, and other community partners as this work advances.
We are also continuing recruitment for the Deputy Director of Programs position and will share additional information as that process moves forward.
Additional Capacity Through Philanthropically Funded Fellowships
HSH is also bringing on four philanthropically funded fellows to support cross-department priorities. Three Breaking the Cycle fellows will focus on prevention, strategic initiatives, and program operations, with anticipated starts by the end of 2026. The Prevention and Strategic Initiatives Fellows will report through Jessica's division, while the Operations Fellow will report through Programs.
A FUSE Fellow, expected to begin in November, will bring organizational management and planning expertise to help identify opportunities to improve how we work as a department.
Looking Ahead
These organizational changes are part of our broader effort to strengthen HSH's ability to deliver services effectively, responsibly, and in close partnership with the organizations and communities we serve.
As we move forward with major initiatives, including our multiyear reprocurement, expanded recovery-focused services, and efforts to improve performance and accountability, your partnership and expertise will remain essential. We recognize that successful implementation depends on the experience, knowledge, and dedication of the organizations delivering services every day.
Our goal is to build a department that is more coordinated, responsive, transparent, and equipped to support our partners in achieving meaningful outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.
Thank you for your continued partnership, your commitment to the people we serve, and the important role you play in San Francisco's Homelessness Response System. I look forward to continuing our work together.
