Seeking solutions to vexing problem
Just want to say thank you to Audrey Cooper for spearheading the collaborative coverage of this wicked systemic problem. I love solutions journalism and look forward to more of this. I hope it will inform public policy on homelessness and amplify those who are working on behalf of our communities. Kudos to all involved.
Joanne Ritter, San Rafael
Homeless children
Concerning “Struggle for solutions continues” (Insight, June 25): The Chronicle’s “Beyond Homelessness” series on the issue of people living on city streets and proposed solutions should not ignore the most important segment of this population: homeless children. If homeless families do not have secure sources of food, clothing and shelter, their children will do poorly in school, drop out before they complete high school and also become homeless adults.
Not only should Bay Area officials focus on housing these children, but they should also create shelters that offer child care and nutritional support. And to those communities who resist having homeless shelters built in their neighborhoods, I would ask this question: Doesn’t every homeless child deserve a chance to have a happy and successful future, just like your own?
Priscilla Massey, San Francisco
Mixed messages
Regarding “Despite efforts, misery persists” (June 26): Congratulations to Mohammed Nuru for calling a spade a spade when in comes to the homeless problem in San Francisco. Nuru is right that mixed messages emitted by politicians stop law enforcement in their tracks. Indeed, it enables a culture for base instincts and impulses to flourish. Clamping down on homeless who ignore the law is no more criminalizing of their status than giving parking tickets criminalizes car owners.
Joe La Sala, San Francisco
Confront the problem
In her article, Heather Knight vividly describes how difficult it is to make visible progress on the issue. As a former city council member in Berkeley, I once slept in a shelter to try to gain some insight. What I saw in the shelter was different than what I saw on the street. Most of those in the shelter did not have obvious drug issues or psychosis and were functional enough to get off the street. But what about those who were sleeping in doorways or under the freeways? I wondered, will we ever commit the federal, state and local resources to make a significant dent in the problem? Would it take a massive earthquake to make us realize that any one of us could be homeless, not for a few days or weeks, but indefinitely? Homelessness needs to be seen through a different prism, not just one of disgust as we make our way to the opera or the movies.
Alan Goldfarb, San Rafael
Keep up the good work
I had to write and say how proud I am of Audrey Cooper, Heather Knight and The Chronicle for taking on this topic of homelessness. The Bay Area has been first in many things over the years, but this one topic is truly exceptional. People have talked about the problem for years, but not many publications have taken it on in earnest. It takes bold leadership to shine a spotlight on this issue and to be relentless in continuing to shine to light. There was a saying from years ago that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” I totally agree with that quote 1,000 percent.
Oftentimes, people will see a homeless person on the street, turn their heads and walk right by. Homeless people are people too. A lot of them are out there on the street through no fault of their own. I am not denying that some of them are there because of alcohol or drug addiction, but there are whole homeless families out there on the streets, single mothers with kids and lots of our veterans. This is a national disgrace.
Walter Shine, Rohnert Park
Sad analysis
It is so sad to see The Chronicle’s analysis showing increased homelessness. San Francisco has been a model for innovative treatments for its homeless, and its residents are generous with their financial support. The generation now in their 30s, 20s and teens have suffered from a lack of government funding, income inequality and higher costs for education, housing and everything else. Results are seen everywhere. Accidents when breadwinners commute long distances to afford a home. Increases in drug addiction from people who never were given needed support in school, and now can’t earn a living wage or afford higher education. Untreated mental illness. With leaders who want to deny health care to millions of people and slash Medicaid, San Francisco will never be able to keep up.
Karen Andresen, Novato