Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement on an administrative solution reached between the Mayor and Supervisors Jane Kim, Eric Mar and Ross Mirkarimi to remove the “Fair Shelter Initiative” from the November 2011 ballot:

“Supervisors Kim, Mar and Mirkarimi intended to increase the number of shelter beds available to the general public, including vulnerable veterans, seniors, and disabled. This solution reached will move the City towards the same goal without having to go through a costly ballot measure campaign.

I want to thank Supervisors Kim, Mar and Mirkarimi for working together with Trent Rhorer, Executive Director of our Human Services Agency, to find a better solution. These changes to our shelter system will make it more efficient and accessible to vulnerable San Franciscans, all without impacting the integrity of Care Not Cash.

Care Not Cash has changed thousands of lives of those living on our streets and is continuing to make real progress in helping people and combating chronic homelessness in San Francisco.”

“My intent in sponsoring the ballot measure was to increase access to our shelter care system,” said Supervisor Kim. “This is a step in that direction. Going forward, I’m committed to exploring more solutions to this problem.”

Mayor Lee and Supervisors Kim, Mar and Mirkarimi agreed to administrative changes that will reduce under-used shelter beds set-aside for the Community Justice Center (CJC) and the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT). A total of 63 shelter beds are presently set-aside for CJC and HOT. Twenty four new shelter beds will come on line in the late Summer or early Fall. All 24 will be made available to the general homeless population. The City has also agreed to better monitor and enforce the 5:30 p.m. release time for unclaimed beds.