The State - News from Aug. 14, 1989

Hospitality House, a San Francisco shelter that opens later than other local shelters and where the homeless generally go as a last resort, turned away more people in May than in any month since it opened five years ago. “These people are staying up until 11:30 at night for basically a shot in the dark,” said Robin Tobin, executive director of the shelter. “There’s no room at the inn.” In 1985, Hospitality House turned away people a monthly average of 195 times. In 1986 the average fell to 102 and the following year grew to 144. The average went up by one in 1988, but jumped to 247 so far in 1989. In May, homeless people were turned away 300 times. The numbers may include people turned away more than once. “The system is not accommodating all who are in need,” Tobin said.