Bay Area's AI Safety Net Aims to Transform Care for Unhoused Residents

A new AI-powered safety net programme has launched in the San Francisco Bay Area to support thousands of unhoused residents. The initiative, led by Future Communities Institute (FCI), brings together local organisations to deliver faster, personalised care before emergencies arise.

The Bay Area's unhoused population has grown by 46% over the past decade. Last year alone, street homelessness rose by 6%, leaving around two-thirds of unhoused residents without shelter. This programme aims to address the gap by expanding street medicine teams and empowering community health workers.

FCI is coordinating the effort alongside Five Keys Schools and Programs, ReImagine Freedom, and Akido Labs. Their integrated care model was developed with input from the communities it will serve. Akido's ScopeAI system will play a central role, handling full patient visits and streamlining treatment.

One key feature is the system's ability to start medically assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders within four hours of first contact. This is far quicker than the US average, where patients often wait days for the same support.

The programme will provide consistent data reporting and prioritise community needs in its evaluation. By combining AI tools with on-the-ground care, it seeks to reduce reliance on emergency services. Thousands of unhoused residents are expected to benefit from earlier access to treatment and support.