To Stop the Homelessness Crisis from Worsening, We Must Keep People in Their Homes

Written By Evolve California

If we want to solve the homelessness crisis in San Francisco, how about we start with keeping people in their homes? Homelessness prevention is an evidence-based approach to the homelessness crisis. Evicting people at risk of homelessness to make room for 800 market rate units is going to worsen our homelessness crisis, and only offering them a negligible amount of money as an Airbnb gift card to relocate is a slap in the face. It’s completely understandable that folks want to hold on to the place that they currently live instead of moving into an Airbnb with a gift card that wouldn’t even cover a month’s stay.

If the San Francisco Housing Authority actually wanted to help these people in good faith, they would utilize evidence-based solutions to keep them housed, such as providing affordable housing and rental assistance. We absolutely need more affordable housing in San Francisco, so why do these housing plans only call for building 200 affordable units, compared to 800 market rate units? This whole plan isn’t about helping the unhoused and housing insecure people who politicians claim to want to help. It’s about real estate developers turning a profit.

Juliana Yamada/Special to the Chronicle

Evolve California
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