The Archdiocese of San Francisco

OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP

ONE PETER YORKE WAY, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109-6601 (415) 614-5609 FAX (415) 614-5601

May 25, 2018

Dear Fellow Members and Collaborators of the SFIC,

As you may know, an effort is underway to effect a change in the policy of the City
and County of San Francisco in order to allow homeless pregnant women to become eligible
for family housing in their first trimester.

The facts are compelling: more than 500 women a year are homeless and pregnant in
San Francisco, and these women receive no special consideration for housing until their third
trimester, with few exceptions. Moreover, as we all know, the first months of pregnancy are
critical for the developing unborn child and for the health and well-being of the pregnant
mother. Yet, in our wealthy city which prides itself on being a place of welcome and love,
homeless pregnant women are sleeping in cars and in doorways, and are even giving birth
under freeway overpasses.

An informal group met earlier this month and has collaborated on a letter to the
mayor and on letters to the candidates for mayor asking them to commit to changing the
policy of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. I am signing onto those
letters, joining with the Coalition on Homelessness, the Homeless Prenatal Program, and the
Archdiocese of San Francisco’s Catholic Charities, among others.

I earnestly ask you to consider adding your name to those who are requesting this
change of policy for the good of the poorest of the poor among us, and for the betterment of
our city’s social fabric.

Thanking you in advance for your cooperation in this important matter, and renewing
my gratitude for our valued collaboration as faith leaders in our community, I remain,

Sincerely yours,

Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone

Archbishop of San Francisco