HSH Success Stories: Shelter

Shelter is more than a place to sleep—it’s a place to regroup, plan, and begin again. In these stories, people share how temporary shelter gave them safety, dignity, and the support they needed to take their next steps.

Homelessness and Supportive Housing

From Shelter to Stability: Kelly and Thomas Begin Again

Kelly’s First Step

When Kelly* arrived at the Lower Polk TAY Navigation Center, she carefully picked out a set of baby blue sheets for her bed—her first night of rest in a safe, stable space. At 22, she had experienced more instability than most her age, but she was hopeful. With access to services from Third Street Youth Center & Clinic and Success Centers, she’s focused on her next goal: attending law school in San Francisco.

Thomas’ Long Journey

For Thomas*, shelter was a turning point in a long and difficult road. Raised in Hong Kong and later returning to San Francisco alone for college, he struggled with isolation, depression, and eventually homelessness. After nearly a decade on the streets, he told the Homeless Outreach Team, “I can’t do this anymore.”

Through the City’s shelter system, he found brief reprieve—but instability persisted. He slept in friends' cars when shelter wasn’t available and worked odd jobs while trying to stay in contact with service providers, often losing phones and connections along the way.

Eventually, the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team helped him access a stabilization room at the Kean Hotel. From there, with continued support, he secured a permanent home at the El Dorado Hotel in 2021. Now housed and connected with employment services, Thomas is rebuilding his life—grateful for the many teams who never gave up on him.

*all names changed to protect client privacy