A Publication of the Coalition on Homelessness
San Francisco has the illusion of social services. Like some jesting phantom, they taunt us with a never-ending promise of relief.
A light post image of a blonde woman looking up to the sky on Bryant street in the South of Market district reads: “SF Marin Food Bank – The face of Hope“; the web page of the Glide church has an orange heart around their name next to a montage of smiling faces with bold letters that read: “I Am GLIDE: a radically inclusive,
‘Homeless: A Day in the Life’ Paints a Poignant Picture of Surviving on the Streets
Why do people end up homeless? For veteran and “former homeless person” Todd Murphy, that question is largely irrelevant. When you’re homeless, you don’t get the luxury of thinking about the whys or the hows. Forced to live in the moment, all that matters is the now, and what you’re going to do at this very second.
That sense of urgency is what drives the narrative of Homeless: A Day in the Life.
Ronnie Goodman, a 58-year-old homeless artist, was arrested near the Redstone Building on 16th and Mission streets when he jumped on a Department of Public Works truck to retrieve 50 linocut pieces he created — and the rugs and boards he shelters himself with — that City workers seized.
Initially, he was charged with felony vandalism and illegal lodging for the September 15 incident, but those charges were later dropped for a lack of evidence.
September 18, 2018
Proposition C to appear on November’s ballot is a long time coming. It’s San Francisco’s opportunity to tackle the humanitarian crisis of homelessness while transforming the lives of thousands of our neighbors – keeping vulnerable tenants housed and housing those without homes. It makes good fiscal sense: If we don’t house people, we spend more on health care and police costs, so in the end it is cheaper to provide housing.
May 16, 1962 – September 13, 2018
Russell Franklin passed away on September 13, 2018 from a severe brain stem injury after he was hit by a car while riding his beloved bicycle in a crosswalk at S Van Ness and Howard St. He was a quietly fierce warrior who was dedicated to his community— hosting friends for several months while they looked for housing, helping settle arguments by passing around joints,
If you’ve been around the Tenderloin for a while you might already know James Lowe, a prolific graphic novelist who uses his art form both to entertain and to give back to the community. James first got involved with the Street Sheet 10 years ago when he spent 10 months homeless and out on the streets. He says the Street Sheet originally inspired him to use the power of the written word, and eventually he moved on to creating graphic novels because he felt it was the best way for him to communicate.
drop your heads and weep
for the homeless
found frozen on the streets
while we laid
in our cozy little beds
all warm and fed
with dollar signs dancin thru our heads
who will hear our own
blood curdling screams
as we die freezing on the streets
will one person leave
their warm homes
to claim our no-name bodies
at the cities’ morgues doors
Something that I wanted to touch on is the fact that I am a Hepatitis C survivor. Did you know that 1/3 of those diagnosed with Hepatitis C are African-Americans when we only make up 6% of the population? After my diagnosis, I was worried, lost and at one of the lowest points of my life, and I was scared to seek treatment. I was feeling lousier by the day. Upon my diagnosis it was clear that it was the time to act,
An alliance of tenant organizations is demanding a “full repeal of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, nothing less.”
That could happen if enough Californians approve Proposition 10, the Affordable Housing Act. It would empower the city of San Francisco to pass its own rent-stabilization ordinances. It could also give residents a fighting chance to stay in their homes.
The San Francisco Anti-Displacement Coalition issued its findings in a report, “The Cost of Costa-Hawkins,” published in July.
Blessed be the hands
that weave the threads
pick the plants
overworked bodies of a forgotten war
wounded of Vietnam
Left open sores
That comprise my clothes
Cover my toes
Whose children breathe in sharp dust
little ones of Africa
held hostage working in open graves
Mines of must
tiny hands in cramped spaces
Death insurance,
