San Francisco reports 53% encampment drop as SFMTA faces $307M deficit | The Locally Times
The city recorded a 53% reduction in tent encampments while the transit agency projects a $307 million budget shortfall.
The city also recorded a 31% decrease in large vehicles on streets since February 2026, the lowest figure since tracking began in 2018. ## RESET Center Operations The Rapid Enforcement, Support, Evaluation, and Triage (RESET) Center, a facility for police processing and medical referrals, admitted over 500 people during its first month. The June 9 report states that nearly one-third of these individuals accepted referrals for medical or psychiatric care. Officers using the center returned to patrol duties in an average of 19 minutes, a reduction from the time required by traditional jail booking procedures. These findings follow the 2026 Point in Time (PIT) Count, which documented 1,000 fewer people living on city streets than the 2024 count. The city added 600 treatment-focused beds to its inventory under the 'Breaking the Cycle' plan. This deficit is projected to reach $430 million by 2030. The agency approved a two-year operating budget of $1.5 billion for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and $1.6 billion for Fiscal Year 2027-2028. Without additional funding, the SFMTA plans service reductions for the 2027-2028 fiscal year. The agency identified the potential elimination of 20 Muni routes, including neighborhood and downtown express lines, and a 60% reduction in evening service between 9 p.m. and midnight. The agency also lists the potential doubling of wait times on Metro and Rapid routes as a consequence of the financial shortfall. ## Resident Impact For a rider currently catching a 9:30 p.m. bus, the 60% service reduction means waiting roughly 30 minutes for the next vehicle, compared to the current 12-minute interval. While the city reports fewer encampments, the SFMTA budget documents indicate that the current funding plan requires multi-year adjustments to avoid these service cuts. ## Key Questions **How many people have been served by the new RESET Center?** The center recorded over 500 admissions in its first month, with nearly one-third of those individuals accepting referrals to longer-term care. **What service cuts does the SFMTA face if the $307 million deficit is not addressed?** The agency may eliminate up to 20 Muni routes, reduce evening service by 60%, and double wait times on Metro and Rapid lines beginning in the 2027-2028 fiscal year.