ShelterTech is a 501c(3) nonprofit based in San Francisco that aims to solve the biggest technology challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness. One of the initiatives is to develop an online directory of homeless-related services where everyone can freely access accurate information to get help and to help others in need. We partner with the Homeless Advocacy Project and receive support by the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development of San Francisco in developing such technology.
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​Our History

ShelterTech was founded by Darcel Jackson, a welder with over 20 years experience, who found himself on the street in 2013 after an injury caused him to lose his job. In 2014, Darcel entered culinary school, started a catering business, and got off the streets. He learned first hand how difficult it is to get out of homelessness when so much information is out of reach because of a lack of access to the internet, digital devices, and services. In 2015 Darcel approached Code for San Francisco with his ideas and began putting free wifi in shelters and SROs throughout the city.
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In 2016 ShelterTech became a 501c(3) non-profit organization and grew to 10 core volunteer developers, designers, and product makers. After many months of user research, interviews, and learning about homelessness, we decided to build the SF Service Guide, a digital directory of homeless services.
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In 2017 ShelterTech grew to a 30 volunteer strong organization. We built an MVP of SF Service Guide, created the datathon model, and won a grant from the Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development.

We want to improve access to free internet and wifi for San Francisco’s underserved residents so they can better utilize technology to help them improve their lives. We want to help the underserved find the best available resources for their needs with an on and offline app that aids resource discovery based on peer reviews, users’ location, users’ needs, and real time updates. We want to help the city understand the efficacy of it social programs and to build a better understanding of San Francisco’s homeless population and its needs through our user data. We want our peer reviewed database of community resources to be industry standard and open so other organizations can take advantage of our high quality data. We want to reduce the load on case managers by offering a virtual case management app that provides tailored processes for the underserved to get out of homelessness, to get educated, to find jobs, and improve their situations. Case managers will also use the app to learn about new resources, communicate changes they learn with the broader community, and get their clients to use the app in their absence. We want to give a voice to the homeless community, helping them communicate with each other and with housed people in San Francisco.
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