A Publication of the Coalition on Homelessness
by Derrickson
My name is Derrickson and I have a long story to tell. But to cut it short, I will just say that my journey to the United States of America was the scariest moment of my life. I was 16 years old when I lost my dad. I lived with my friend’s parents for three years, along with my little sister who is 7 years of age. I had to drop out of school because of my money situation,
by Sabrina Abong
My name is Sabrina Catherine Abong. I am 26, a homeowner, a single mom, and a Tesla worker. I want to create systemic change. I first entered foster care when I was 3 years old and re-entered care between the ages of 13 to 21. During my time in care, it was rough going to different homes and high schools. I’ve had the opportunity to have my biological parents come back,
by Isaiah Clark
Knew Ya
Don’t act like it’s a past life
It was prolly last night
You would always gasp like
Every time that I cried
Had me fuckin capsized
I don’t need it baptized
I don’t need more time, aight
nothing ever lasts, right
I saw a flower in flight
and wonder if I ever knew ya
Fast-talkin,
by Jordan Davis
In November of 2022, I voted no on the charter amendment to create a Homelessness Oversight Commission in San Francisco. But I am secretly glad it passed, because it is yet another forum where I can criticize the government. It is good that the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing is on the hot seat.
Every meeting, I enjoy reading the director’s report and highlighting various details of programs,
by Jack Bragen
There is a lot of public intolerance of disabled people, especially toward those with mental health conditions. I live in a building that houses poor seniors and poor disabled people, and for many of us, our disability is neurodivergence. There is a lot of foot traffic near the building because of nearby businesses. I will often go outside to light a smoke, usually in my car, and I have seen people change direction to avoid being close to the building,
by Juanita Ramos
On October 24, families residing in RVs on Winston Drive and Buckingham Way converged at the intersection of the two streets at 8:30 a.m. Their assembly, joined by a coalition of service providers, neighbors, and concerned community members, carried a poignant request: They implored the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to honor its commitment to provide safe parking sites and permanent housing. This appeal has become even more pressing in light of impending parking restrictions.
by Joemae Santos
This year, San Francisco will host APEC downtown at the Moscone Center. The summit is a convening of 21 heads of states, primarily from the Indo-Pacific region, where they will discuss economic foreign policies. With these policies come agreements that will only benefit the politically elite and the wealthy such as the privatization of industries or the establishment of agreements binding one country’s resources to the interest of another.
by Jack Bragen
Our streets have become a dumping ground for unfortunate people who could not keep up with the expectations of society. In the bottom of our socioeconomic structure there is a giant trapdoor through which people can fall if they can’t keep pace.
Disabled people who can’t keep up with full-time, professional work will often fall through this trapdoor. If their family is unwilling or unable to provide enough help,
by Gloria A Lightheart
In September 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1338, creating a mental health court. The Community Assistance Recovery & Empowerment (CARE) court program empowers judges to compel people with mental health disabilities or substance abuse issues to accept psychiatric treatment and medication. The legislature approved the bill on a near-unanimous vote.
In the new system, a court-appointed conservator would make financial and health care decisions,
by Bradley Penner
New guidelines would dictate how officials prioritize encampment sweeps in the City of Berkeley
Berkeley officials have drafted an encampment accountability policy that would determine how to prioritize sweeps throughout the city. Known as the “Good Neighbor Guidelines,” the policy asks encampment residents to abide by a series of rules that, if violated, would lead to a range of interventions including the posting of public notices to voluntarily relocate,
