San Francisco's AI-Powered Push to Transform Care for Unhoused Residents
A new AI-powered programme has launched in the San Francisco Bay Area to support unhoused residents. The initiative arrives as the region faces a growing homelessness crisis, with a 6% rise in the past year alone. Over the last decade, the number of people without homes has surged by more than 46%.
The programme, led by Future Communities Institute (FCI), will use artificial intelligence to expand street medicine services and provide faster, personalised care. Partners include Five Keys, ReImagine Freedom, and Akido Labs, which developed the AI system driving the project.
The Bay Area's unhoused population now stands at record levels, with roughly two-thirds living on the streets. The situation has worsened steadily, with a 46% increase in homelessness over the past ten years. Officials and non-profits have struggled to keep up with demand for healthcare and support services.
FCI will oversee the programme, working with community groups to design an evaluation system that tracks progress and ensures data transparency. The focus is on meeting real needs rather than top-down solutions.
At the heart of the initiative is Akido Labs' ScopeAI, an AI tool that can conduct full patient assessments. It will help street medicine teams and community health workers deliver care more efficiently. One key feature is its ability to start medically assisted treatment for substance use disorders within four hours of first contact—far quicker than the current wait of several days.
The programme also includes Akido's integrated care model, developed alongside the communities it will serve. By providing early access to healthcare, the aim is to reduce reliance on emergency services. Thousands of unhoused residents are expected to benefit in the coming months.
The effort brings together experts from technology, public health, policy, and non-profits. Their goal is to create a sustainable system for underserved groups, particularly those without stable housing.
The AI-driven programme will roll out immediately, targeting unhoused individuals who often face barriers to healthcare. With faster treatment options and expanded street medicine capacity, organisers hope to ease pressure on emergency services. The collaboration between tech developers, health workers, and community groups marks a new approach to addressing long-standing challenges in the region.
