Mission Cabins, a temporary housing solution for homeless individuals, is closing to make way for affordable housing construction.
The tiny home community, which has operated for the past 18 months near 16th and Mission, is seeing most of its 60 residents relocate, leaving an uncertain future for those who called it home.
Residents generally expressed gratitude for their time at the cabins, yet voiced frustrations with strict regulations and staff interactions.
Antrinette Jenkins, who moved into the cabins in May 2024, reflected on her experience: “When I come in here, the place, my room, everything looks awesome to me. All I had was two blankets and a couple bags. But now it looks like a one-bedroom apartment.”
Having lived on the streets of the Mission, Jenkins recalls how a member of the city’s Homeless Outreach Team offered her a spot at the Mission Cabins. “Five minutes later, I’m inside of this place here … out of the cold, out of the water,” she said.
However, the experience was not without its challenges. Jenkins expressed discomfort with the numerous rules, such as not having a key to her own door.
Moreover, she claimed that staff members frequently intruded into her personal space, enforcing rules that felt excessive. Jenkins alleged that one staff member even stole her identification and debit card.
As she prepares to move into a single-room occupancy hotel, Jenkins looks forward to a more peaceful life away from the high levels of drug activity and crime she associated with the Mission. “I want to be somewhere where it’s quiet. A little bit of scenery and a nice next door neighbor,” she stated, adding she hopes to find a husband and get a “couple of puppies.”
Outside, former resident John Debella walked by with his dog, Peaches. He moved into the cabins after 25 years of homelessness and had been struggling with fentanyl use before deciding to stabilize his life for his pet.
Debella, who took up residence in the cabins in June 2024, appreciated the stability provided but also noted the restrictions he faced. He shared that the staff often treated him suspiciously.
Debella remarked, “The staff was hella policing me.” He recalled being searched by staff and receiving warnings about forgetting to muzzle Peaches, despite her status as a service dog. He also reported personal belongings going missing.
Nonetheless, he was grateful for the opportunity to stay at the cabins. “If I wasn’t there, I’d probably be in jail,” he reflected.
Steve Good, the president and CEO of Five Keys — the organization managing the cabins — explained that the enforcement of rules was necessary to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the environment.
“In order to maintain the security, sanitation, and safety of the Mission Cabins or any homeless shelter, we had to have a series of rules,” he stated.
Good underscored that regular checks were conducted to ensure residents’ safety and compliance with the cabin’s standards. He denied any incidents of theft by staff members, aligning the rules with broader safety and health concerns.
According to Santiago Lerma, who leads the Mission’s Street Team, the cabins were designed for individuals with strong community ties. He emphasized that the familiarity of the location helped motivate many long-term unhoused individuals to accept offers for housing.
Lerma expressed pride in witnessing significant transformations among residents. “There are people that I’ve been dealing with for years that I thought were too far gone. I see them now and I’m like, ‘What? Like you, you’re totally different, and doing well and healthy,’” he recalled.
As the closure of the cabins results in a loss of 68 shelter spots in the Mission, the city plans to open 62 additional spots at Mission Action Shelter at South Van Ness and 21st on October 1.
In the meantime, the city, along with Five Keys, is actively seeking a new location for the cabins, with an announcement expected soon.
Residents on Capp Street, where the cabins are located, have expressed a desire for the project to remain in their neighborhood. Five Keys had implemented a round-the-clock security agreement to address community concerns regarding safety and cleanliness.
Neighbors were initially apprehensive about the concentration of individuals with potential histories of drug abuse near local schools. Naomi Fox, a Capp Street resident and PTA Treasurer at Marshall Elementary, noted these concerns when the cabins were established.
Despite initial opposition, residents like Fox acknowledged the positive impact the cabins had on the neighborhood’s safety and cleanliness. “Having the guards there has been a positive thing for our block,” Fox said, appreciating the guards’ proactive approach to maintaining security and supporting the school community.
Similarly, Aaron Wojack, another local resident, echoed Fox’s sentiments, stating, “I think Five Keys has been a positive presence on the sidewalk, and I think they’ve been very helpful and respectful of both people that are unhoused and the residents.”
Both Fox and Wojack now worry about the potential decline in street conditions once the cabins are vacated. Wojack noted, “I think when they go away, the quality of life on the streets might suffer a little bit.”
As the Mission Cabins prepare to close, the dual narratives of gratitude and frustration remain evident among former residents, highlighting the complex dynamics of providing housing solutions for unhoused individuals while maintaining community standards.
image source from：missionlocal
