San Francisco's top homeless nonprofits collected $720 million while 594 people died of overdoses in their buildings—then the Board of Supervisors unanimously renewed their contracts. One provider now runs a program helping residents use drugs in their apartments. Another's employees stole $115,000 meant for homeless families while leaving their shelter rotting.
Episcopal Community Services now runs a pilot program teaching residents to use drugs in their apartments—the same organization with 162 overdose deaths since 2020, the worst record in San Francisco. Recovery advocate Gina McDonald, who lost her brother to addiction in 2022, challenged ECS leadership directly: residents are dying alone in ‘supportive’ housing at rates far exceeding other providers.
February 16, 2026 · 3 min read
$115,000 stolen through fake invoices for work never performed. Providence Foundation’s Director of Operations approved payments to an unlicensed contractor who kicked back thousands to her personally. The shelter for homeless families sat unpainted, plagued by rust and fungus. Dean Preston’s office had championed this nonprofit as a model—raising $100K to launch what became a citywide program.
Jan 31, 2026 · 4 min
$720 million to five nonprofits. 594 overdose deaths in their buildings since 2020. Episcopal Community Services leads with 162 deaths while collecting $266 million. Tenderloin Housing Clinic: 156 deaths, $278 million. The Board of Supervisors’ response? Unanimous contract renewals. No performance reviews, no accountability measures, no conditions attached.
Jan 28, 2026 · 4 min
