Date of Graduation

Spring 5-16-2025

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs

College/School

College of Arts and Sciences

Department/Program

Urban and Public Affairs

First Advisor

Kresten Froistad-Martin

Second Advisor

Sarah Burgess

Abstract

Community based organizations (CBOs) lead the charge in the fight to end housing insecurity and often must make up where local governments fall short. San Francisco is an example of a municipality that has a long history of addressing instances of housing insecurity for its residents, and where CBOs step in to provide housing support for populations with unique and special circumstances. One CBO that operates in San Francisco that I was interested in studying was the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP), and the Jelani House, a housing subsidy that is funded and operated by the HPP for pregnant women who experience housing insecurity. My interest in this organization led me to ask this question: to what extent do the current supportive housing organizations in San Francisco effectively reduce housing insecurity for marginally housed or homeless pregnant women? After conducting interviews with professional staff with the HPP, I found that the HPP does not directly address housing insecurity for pregnant women. Instead, this organization concomitantly responds to needs expressed by their client population within the means and limitations of the organization, focusing on medical and health-centered care, creating opportunities for their clients to grow their personal and professional development, and building a foundation of trust and community for themselves. My research led me to policy recommendations that impact the HPP, the San Francisco city government, and the state of California. This project is important because it adds to the growing body of literature dedicated to bringing insight on how housing support provided to pregnant women positively impacts the growth of their independence. My study further affirms the work that the HPP does for pregnant unhoused women by demonstrating the impact the organization has on each woman’s pregnancy journey, whatever that may look like for them.

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