San Francisco Homeless Project
How many beds are there in shelters in the city?
The shelter system has 1,200—clearly not enough to provide housing for the 6 to 7,000 who are homeless. "A homeless person can get a one-night emergency shelter bed quickly," as reported in a San Francisco Chronicle article. "But anything else — supportive housing, longer-term shelter beds, mental health care, substance abuse services — requires a waiting list. If the waiting list is even taking new names. Some are so long, they're closed."
The shelter system has 1,200—clearly not enough to provide housing for the 6 to 7,000 who are homeless. "A homeless person can get a one-night emergency shelter bed quickly," as reported in a San Francisco Chronicle article. "But anything else — supportive housing, longer-term shelter beds, mental health care, substance abuse services — requires a waiting list. If the waiting list is even taking new names. Some are so long, they're closed."
"Studies show that even living on the street for one week is traumatic and has negative effects on both the body and mind. What's more, living on the street increases a person's chances of being a victim of rape and hate crimes, which also negatively impact one's mental state."
How can I help homeless people?
"A good place to start is with empathy. It's easy to feel angry about the people sleeping on the street and choose to not see them at all, but what these people need is to feel like they're a part of the community. Do something to show you care. From simply having a conversation and offering a cup of coffee, to volunteering and donating money to charities serving homeless people."
And then there are the Tents...
How can I help homeless people?
"A good place to start is with empathy. It's easy to feel angry about the people sleeping on the street and choose to not see them at all, but what these people need is to feel like they're a part of the community. Do something to show you care. From simply having a conversation and offering a cup of coffee, to volunteering and donating money to charities serving homeless people."
And then there are the Tents...