As a grantee leader at the time, I remember being floored in 2017 when I first heard about Tipping Point’s effort to reduce chronic homelessness in San Francisco by 50% in five years. What grabbed my attention was not so much the goal itself, despite its ambition, but rather Tipping Point’s unapologetic approach to fundamentally change the way we tackle homelessness. Armed with $100 million and a relentless drive to push new solutions, Tipping Point’s Chronic Homelessness Initiative (CHI) created a strategy anchored to the simple notion that the best way to get people off the streets is more housing.
The rocket fuel behind CHI is an extraordinary gift of $65 million from Charles and Helen Schwab. The lion’s share of the funds is being directed to a prototype project aimed at significantly cutting the cost and time required to build permanent supportive housing in San Francisco.
Today, I am proud to announce that the building is officially under construction, on track to cut costs by 30%, and will take half the time of similar projects. Perhaps more importantly, the Schwabs’ gift allows Tipping Point to use the funds for reinvestment in future housing developments.
Please take a look at today’s San Francisco Chronicle story to learn more.
Sam Cobbs
CEO | Tipping Point Community
