Homelessness in the Bay Area: 3 Stories

It's humbling to see this and realize that you're living a dream compared to these people.

This is about San Francisco because it's where most of my experience is but its somewhat replicated all over the bay area.  Its about leadership, authority, priorities, and focus. Here is a little insight (THE SORT VERSION) from someone who has worked in almost every aspect of the provider system and been places, seen things, provided services where 99% of people never have. There is not one hospital with an on staff social service intake officer available 24hrs a day, not even county, also the level 1 trauma center. None of the hospitals have a dedicated social service intake and or provider office within the ED department, no office= no dedicated ED onsite personal, meaning no client contact, no resource information distribution when they need that and intervention most. These social service provider choices put additional pressure on the ED medical staff. Pressure that they don't need within an already stressed emergency department workplace. The "respite" center aka where you take those to drunk to walk but with no emergent medical need to sleep it off. That center has no displayed service provider info, no reps from service providers, no substance abuse counselors, no housing placement reps, no shelter reps, you can't even get a map of where shelters are there if you wanted to, an overworked nurse who usually lacks emergency department nursing certification, inadequate hygiene facilities, and dangerously understaffed security. Example the federal governments reimbursement for administering methadone to heroine addicts is so high, and set up in a manner so that it actually penalizes clinics for reducing patient dosing so much that they don't, and if they did as one is supposed to they would be forced to close. I have had multiple patients on the same incredibly high methadone dosing for over a decade. Who does this system benefit? Big Pharma and the manufacturers of methadone and its related pharmacopeia. Who pays for all of it taxpayers. Who set it up this way congress members bought by and under the direction of Big Pharma. This is a brief look at the social service provider system and the often counter productive, anti collaborative, corrupt, deliberately provider isolated, inadequate framework they are forced to work within.

This is NYC and the rents here are always sky high. I studied law in the Univ of Santa Clara. ( circa early 80s.) It 's really sad to see many in the Bay Area in such a destitute condition. BTW, the NYC subway system and THE JUNGLE (in San Jose) have alot in common.

Bless that dude, so glad for him.

A full time provided $1,600 and the rent is like $2,200 ,Rent is too high

Just drove by another homeless encampment going up in flames. Happens way too often. A dangerous situation for everyone.

There's an architect with the last name Campion. Years back, he was doing creative research on designing shelters for the nation's homeless.I'd like to hear what he came up with. After viewing and hearing their own words, I began trying to understand why so many homeless prefer a box under a bridge, exposed to the elements over a "homeless shelter" and came up with several issues: shelters receive funds but misappropriate them (one patron's words); shelters require their own schedules which don't usually correspond with the patrons' needs and desires; they're invasive, rigid; they're available for nights only--patrons must leave through the day. My idea couldn't possibly be as grand as Mr. Campion's; however, I think it suits many of the needs and personalities of the homeless: structures made of steel framing, reliable roofs, concrete foundations divided into cubicles of plexiglass that don't quite touch the concrete floor (for power-washing the cubicles as tenants leave improving bug infestations and contamination). Structures could be designated for males, females, families and cubicles could be accordingly sized to fit. Totally enclosed, private, segregated (male/female) restrooms form the center of the structures. These structures would meet many of the homeless folks' complaints and provide a degree of autonomy since there'd be no limit on how long they could stay. Cubicles would be designated to persons as long as they needed them. There'd be large bins for trash/garbage and cooking/grilling options outside the structures: individuals, families could cook for themselves or they could take turns cooking for the entire structures' occupants.If available, they could still receive relief to cover food. If occupants wanted, they could bring their tents and boxes into their cubicle or cover the walls of their cubicles with newspaper, etc. It seems homeless folks co-exist fairly well with each other; that would be expected to continue. These cubicles would be free of charge with space outside for anyone wanting to grow vegetable gardens. And, of course, land for these structures. My idea, I'm sure, needs tweeking, but maybe it's an option.

We're supposed to feel bad for homeless criminals? I feel bad for the honest ones who had their rent doubled, but forget the criminals.

I saw this coming years ago. All my friends moved away from the Bay Area as they were priced out. Some moved far inland while others moved out of state to the Pac NW and places further east like Texas and Tennessee. I escaped to Idaho and then Wyoming. Thankfully I am happy, living well and the wife and I live debt-free well within our means. We couldn't do that in California. The Cali politics and idiocy of the far left culture drove me and my friends off the "Cali Crazy Train". Now out of Cali and life is good.

Idk why but I like this reporter she's very comforting to listen to for some reason

God bless that man

This is sad. What the heck is wrong with politicians that let this happen?

1 of 4 Cities can eliminate homeless tent encampments by replacing them with Homeless Shelter Villages [HSV] using Pallet Shelter's existing Homeless Shelter Village [HSV] components. The Community Room sells for $37,000 and serves as a shared laundry room, restaurant, child daycare center, and addiction services center. The Bathroom cost $35,000 and the Services Office costs $9,000. So for only $81,000 a city can establish a Homeless Shelter Village [HSV]. The 10'X10' Camping Cube Sport Pop Up Tent that costs only $120 provides protection from the elements; for two people and their belongings.

I have PTSD from severe traumatizing events along with physical trauma, but that doesn't give me justification to be a criminal or use drugs, lazy not work or anything else. no more excuses.

No one is able to run away from city to city for an affordable house or rent when the housing price is keep rising without control ! Housing, clothing and food are basic needs for all human beings. Demanding for the strict control of all housing and rental at the reasonable and affordable prices !!!

Bless them all ! But damn at least clean up after yourself and not make a trail .

So San Jose felt shamed when the homeless encampment, The Jungle, made national news. So they spent city money to kick them out, help some of them (yes, only some), and forget the rest. Now the 7000 displaced homeless folks are spread through San Jose making new smaller encampments that are not being addressed and will grow into more "Jungles". SMDH. San Jose representatives are failing at their jobs.

There’s plenty of awareness about homelessness. Need more heart 💜

Clearly, the solution is to import as many "undocumented immigrants" as possible. Whenever you see a homeless problem, the immediate reaction should be increase the population as much as possible to solve it.

These are the component to create Homeless Shelter Villages [HSV] using Pallet Shelter's existing HSV products: the Community Room sells for $37,000, the Bathroom costs $35,000, and the Services Office costs $9,000. So for only $81,000 a city can establish a HSV. The two person Shelter 64 costs $7,000. 100 X $7,000 = $7,000,000. For $7,201,000 the city can establish a HSV for 200 residents. For $160 million a city can establish 22 HSVs to shelter 4,000 residents.