SAN FRANCISCO - AussieJournal -- Today, the Providence Foundation announces that it has signed a settlement with the City of San Francisco and its Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to resolve the 2024 allegations of fraud. In the settlement, Providence Foundation has agreed to pay civil penalties addressing employee wages, maintenance work reimbursement, and other fees, which total $1,000,000.00. The Providence Foundation has also spent over $300,000.00 in the past year in an effort to create transparency in its operations, while setting the stage for future growth. The organization took this action to ensure it could continue its mission of providing "protective care" to the vulnerable people it serves in the Bayview Hunters Point Community and throughout San Francisco.

"We recognize and acknowledge that our operational limitations led to compliance challenges with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, which resulted in a Suspension Order by the City," states Alpha Buie, President of the Providence Foundation Board. "Through thoughtful assessment and strategic action, we have taken decisive steps to strengthen our internal processes, enhance oversight, provide ethical leadership, and build the capacity necessary to make our organization stronger as well as ensure full compliance with the City moving forward."

"HSH commends Providence Foundation for their immediate and comprehensive response in addressing compliance issues and allegations of fraud that were raised in 2024," said Shireen McSpadden, Executive Director, Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. "The culturally congruent services provided by Providence are invaluable to the community and we are grateful that this structured second chance enables the organization to continue to serve people struggling to stabilize and exit homelessness."

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In the United States, homelessness continues to be an issue that American cities struggle to solve and cannot keep up with demand. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, it is estimated that 653,104 people experienced homelessness across the United States in 2023, with people of color being disproportionately impacted. Of this total number, 23.3% experienced being homeless for the first time, a trend that continues to rise due to such factors as rising rent prices, low incomes, and a shortage of affordable housing. In San Francisco, 8,035 individuals experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, according to the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. Moreover, the African American homeless population in San Francisco totals 1,980.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that had operated as the charitable wing of the Providence Baptist Church, the Providence Foundation provides vital community support services for children, families, and senior citizens. The organization operates supportive housing and provides case management services in San Francisco through the Oasis Family Shelters, Armstrong Senior Housing, and Bayview Hills Garden Housing.

"Our commitment remains unwavering to support and uplift those experiencing homelessness in San Francisco through compassionate and culturally responsive care," states Dr. Leroy Adams, Board Vice-President and Pastor of the Providence Baptist Church. "We are expanding our work to address some of the city's most pressing challenges—housing stability, workforce development, and equitable access to resources—by deepening partnerships with the City of San Francisco, community-based organizations, local businesses, and dedicated individuals."

"At St. Anthony's, we are proud to partner with Providence Foundation, a fellow faith-based organization deeply committed to uplifting the most vulnerable in our city," states Dr. Larry Kwan, CEO of St. Anthony's. "We commend Providence for their renewed focus and accountability in tackling some of San Francisco's most urgent challenges. Their compassionate and strategic efforts are helping children and families stabilize, exit homelessness, and move toward self-sufficiency. Together, we are working to restore hope and create pathways to a better future for those who need it most."

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An example of its expansive work includes the Foundation's "Building Communities, Better" initiative. This program works to drive systemic change and empower the most vulnerable residents towards self-sufficiency. It focuses on equipping youth, who have spent their entire lives in shelters, with education, workforce readiness, mentorship, and leadership development. The initiative also supports unhoused seniors in rebuilding community and reclaiming a sense of identity as well as works alongside families to help them thrive despite housing instability.

"With this matter behind us and a renewed focus, accountability, and collective action, the Providence Foundation is committed to not just addressing homelessness but breaking cycles of instability, fostering resilience, and shaping an equitable San Francisco for generations to come," states Dexter Hall, Interim Executive Director of Providence Foundation.

For more information on the Providence Foundation, visit https://providencesf.org/.

ABOUT THE PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION
Founded in 1997, the Providence Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that had operated as the charitable wing of the Providence Baptist Church. The mission of the Providence Foundation is to provide vital community support services and "protective care" for children, families, senior citizens, and its unhoused neighbors in the Bayview Hunters Point District of San Francisco, as well as supporting similar initiatives throughout other neighborhoods in the city. The organization works tirelessly to eradicate homelessness and operates supportive housing and provides case management services in San Francisco through its Oasis Family Shelters, Armstrong Senior Housing, and Bayview Hills Garden Housing. For more information on the Providence Foundation, visit https://providencesf.org/.