Dr. Jonathan Butler, the executive director at the San Francisco African American Faith-Based Coalition (SFAAFBC), has been nominated to the Homelessness Oversight Commission.
Mayor London N. Breed nominated him and three others.
Moreover, Dr. Butler is a social epidermis and associate director at the Black Health Initiative at the University of California.
Faith-based Leader
According to the City and County of San Francisco, Dr. Butler was appointed by the city’s Board of Supervisors to serve on the Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax Advisory Committee.
During his tenure, Dr. Butler brought together a diverse group of Bay Area scientists and community and faith-based organizations.
Through their collaboration, they provided Mayor Breed with advice on current healthcare priorities and recommendations.
That said, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Butler played a pivotal role in forming a partnership between the SFAAFBC, city-based organizations, and food agencies to address food insecurity in San Francisco.
The SFAAFBC, which consists of over 21 churches, has distributed more than 600,000 prepared meals and 70,000 fresh produce boxes.
They also put up 30 vaccination clinics at churches, vaccinating over 5,000 San Franciscans.
The network of churches aims to improve the quality of life for San Franciscans by providing holistic support and services through a faith-based network.
Aside from his experience with SFAAFBC, Dr. Butler also serves on the board of the San Francisco Interfaith Council.
According to Dr. Butler, he is excited to use his perspective as a Faith-based leader.
He is also looking forward to using his knowledge of social conditions and their impact on the health of underserved populations, specifically the unhoused population, in his role on the commission.
Moreover, Dr. Butler stated that he will take this position seriously and is committed to ensuring that resources are used effectively to address this complex issue.
The other nominees for the commission are Vikrum Aiyer, who serves as Head of Global Public Policy and External Affairs at Heirloom; Katie Albright, who is a Senior Advisor at Safe and Sound; and Sharky Laguana, a former President of the Small Business Commission and a small business owner.
If approved by the Board of Supervisors, these individuals will be responsible for overseeing various processes within the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH).
Homelessness Oversight Commission
The Homelessness Oversight Commission, which San Francisco voters approved in November 2022, is responsible for overseeing the HSH.
The Commission members will serve a four-year term starting on Monday, May 1.
The Board of Supervisors will appoint the remaining three members.
San Francisco is one of the few counties in the state that has seen a decrease in homelessness over the past three years, with unsheltered homelessness decreasing by 15%.
HSH is in the process of completing its Five-Year Strategic Plan and is expected to release it next month.
The plan will establish the goals, strategies, and accountability measures for addressing homelessness in San Francisco.
Mayor Breed emphasized the importance of this moment for San Francisco's homelessness response.
She stated that the city is about to launch a new five-year strategic plan that must build on the progress made so far and show the neighborhoods that change is possible.
The mayor also praised the diversity of the nominees for the commission.
She stated that their experiences would bring the necessary expertise to ensure that the commission delivers transparency, accountability, and performance for the city.
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