24-017 Journey Home Program
Department Notice
This document is not an official representation of the published policy. To access the official signed policy, please contact us at [email protected].
The purpose of this Department Notice is to provide instruction to members on how to use the services of the Journey Home Program. Members are encouraged to mention and provide services to unhoused individuals they encounter.
The Journey Home Program is a program in addition to Homeward Bound and is designed to provide a low barrier, rapid intervention paid relocation service, via bus or train, for individuals with substance use disorders and/or experiencing homelessness that would like to leave San Francisco. The program strives to reconnect individuals with family, friends, or other support networks in their hometown. Journey Home provides eligible participants with free bus or train tickets (within the lower 48 states), a meal stipend, and an overnight stay if the train/bus does not leave the same day. Journey Home can also provide some basic hygiene supplies and a duffel bag for belongings. The program is administered by the Human Services Agency with support from the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing.
Program Criteria:
- The person must be experiencing homelessness and/or substance abuse disorder, living in San Francisco.
- Not on parole or probation limiting them to San Francisco.
- Able to provide informed consent and travel safely.
- Voluntarily agree to participate.
- Connection to destination city (an individual must demonstrate an association with their destination city, including prior residence or family/friends currently located there Journey Home Program will confirm).
- Pets limited to max 1 dog or cat, under 20 lbs.
- Bags/belongings limited to a single backpack (plus purse) and a single duffle bag.
Referral to Journey Home:
If a member locates an individual interested in relocation services and meets the listed criteria, members should contact the Journey Home Referral Hotline:
- Journey Home Referral Line (669) 265-9373
Monday Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. - During non-business hours, an individual is interested in the Journey Home Program: a. Provide general information about the program. b. Provide the individual with the number to contact Journey Home the next business day. Members may also call the next business day and refer an individual.
- If a member is unable to contact a member from the Journey Home program. Please contact the SFPD liaison, Lieutenant Feliks Gasanyan at (415) 589-1550.
/s/
WILLIAM SCOTT
Chief of Police
Per DN 23-152, all sworn & non-sworn members shall electronically acknowledge this Department document in PowerDMS within (30) thirty calendar days of issuance. Members whose duties are relevant to this document shall be held responsible for compliance. Any questions regarding this policy should be sent to [email protected] who will provide additional information.