I don’t think this is the black and white issue that the headline suggests.
Homeless advocates appear to be on board with this, at any rate: https://www.kqed.org/news/12047353/heres-why-sf-homeless-advocates-are-glad-lurie-ditched-push-for-1500-shelter-beds
It sounds like the “more beds” campaign promise was somewhat misguided, as slapping a bandaid on homelessness isn’t a fix; more beds is, to an extent, just for show. Hopefully we’ll be able to get actual, research-based solutions to homelessness here.
I’m not super optimistic, but changing course on a campaign promise because the experts and advocates say your current plan is bad shouldn’t be criticized out of hand IMHO.
This was a good supplement to OPs article, thanks.
I’m not sure why governments seem so willing to meet with commercial solutions who profit off these building projects, but not volunteer organizations that are out there working with the people who need these benefits and resources. The quotes from the workers seem to make it really clear how just making beds for individuals with no privacy or safety for their stuff doesn’t really draw in the people that need help. The homeless have families and pets and precious possessions they can’t give up to stay in shelters. A one size fits all approach isn’t going to work while not ending up being something cruel.
Well I think it´ll mostly comes down to PR vs budget.1500 beds sounds good but if he needs to spread that to say 100 shelter beds, 300 studios and the personnel to manage it that yearly 40mil becomes a lot of money to help ´just´ 400 people off the street
I imagine so. Everyone is looking to “see results,” but for the majority that is just going to mean make them invisible, while for the actual homeless, the answer is much more complicated and less popular with a lot of other people.
I use to live in SF, voted for the progressive candidate against Newsom for mayor, of course he lost. SF is full of neo-liberals (Nancy Pelosi) who ruin the city, such a shame. I am guessing he is another centrist who will do the same.
A moderate Democrat worth tens of millions proposes to tinker around the edges without consulting anyone, fails.
