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Solving Homelessness: Ideas for Ending a Crisis

A humanitarian crisis has persisted on our streets for years and seems to have worsened as housing prices and rents have skyrocketed. Across the Bay Area, high-profile government and nonprofit initiatives have sought more effective ways of serving the homeless. But is it enough?

As we did in a 2014 project called “Creative Solutions to the Housing Crisis,” this package of stories explores ideas about how to do things differently, even if they are only on the cusp of mainstream consideration. This project follows on our summer 2017 issue, Which Way Home?, which looked into city government’s efforts to clear homeless encampments from the streets by putting people into navigation centers and shelters, or more often on buses to family or friends out of town.

The fall 2017 print edition of the Public Press is now available at select locations.

ABOUT THIS REPORTING PROJECT

REPORTING: Joe Eskenazi, Rishika Dugyala, Sarah Asch, Liz Enochs, Andrew Stelzer | EDITING: Michael Winter, Noah Arroyo | COPY CHIEF: Sherman Turntine | COPY EDITING: Michele Anderson, Richard Knee | GRAPHICS: Reid Brown | PHOTOGRAPHY: Sharon Wickham, Garrick Wong, Judith Calson | PRINT DESIGN: HyunJu Chappell/Magna Citizen Studio | ONLINE: John Angelico | RADIO: Andrew Stelzer

Tune in to KALW (91.7 FM) for related coverage.

This project was made possible by donations from Public Press members and the San Francisco Foundation

City Hall

S.F. Supes Eye ‘CEO Pay’ Tax to Fund Services for Homeless

10.27.2017

By Liz Enochs, Board Member

Last year, Portland lawmakers approved a surtax on companies with high CEO-to-worker pay ratios and dedicated the revenue to homeless services. Will the San Francisco Board of Supervisors follow suit?

Community

Host Homes Could Get Young Adults Off Streets

10.26.2017

By Sarah Asch, Reporting intern

San Francisco has the highest percentage of unsheltered youths in the nation — more than 1,200 between 18 and 24 years old, at last count. Host homes could get many off the streets. Would you welcome a homeless youth into your home?

City Hall

Local and National Efforts to End Youth Homelessness

10.26.2017

By Sarah Asch, Reporting intern

Efforts to end youth homeless began in earnest in 1974, when Congress passed legislation that changed the national approach to helping at-risk youths.

City Hall

For Alcoholics, ‘Wet Houses’ Offer a Home

10.25.2017

By Andrew Stelzer

Studies have found that the 1811 Eastlake project in Seattle helps keep alcoholics off the streets and out of jails and emergency rooms — and even helps them drink less.

Health

For Alcoholic Residents at Dann’s House, ‘It Feels Like Home’

10.25.2017

By Andrew Stelzer

On the outskirts of Traverse City, Michigan, Dann’s House provides supportive housing to eight alcoholic homeless men. Unlike most housing for the homeless, there’s no expectation that residents will stop drinking, even on-site. But their consumption is down, and their lives improved.

Bay Area

Private Capital Takes a Risk to Help House Neediest

10.24.2017

By Rishika Dugyala, Reporting intern

Since their debut seven years ago, “social impact bonds” have generated $200 million in the United States and 14 other countries toward programs to reduce homelessness and related social problems. San Jose has already tapped into this new funding source, and San Francisco may in the future.

Bay Area

Comparing 4 ‘Social Impact Bond’ Projects

10.24.2017

By Rishika Dugyala, Reporting intern

Governments have been looking for an effective, cost-efficient way to house their homeless populations, especially the high-need individuals straining public resources while out on the streets. Social impact bonds offer a novel public-private partnership that might work.

Economy & Business

No Vacancy for the Homeless

10.23.2017

By Joe Eskenazi

Dozens of residential hotels have rooms to spare, but it is a seller’s market, and city officials cannot force owners to rent. At last count, 4,353 people were unsheltered in San Francisco, with 1,827 empty rooms in private SROs.

City Hall

How to Fill All the Empty SRO Rooms

10.23.2017

By Joe Eskenazi

Master leasing of single-room occupancy hotels in San Francisco has housed thousands of homeless people — and done so in hotels that are, by and large, a huge improvement over those of a generation ago. But hings could be better.

Education

Brainstorming the Future to Help Resolve Homelessness

10.23.2017

By Michael Stoll, Executive director

Starting this fall, the Public Press is reporting on new and creative solutions to homelessness. And because we know we don’t have all the answers, we’re engaging the community to gather fresh ideas and inspire action.