Homelessness

By Michael A. Sweet

Each year the City spends more money dealing with homelessness, and each year the problems get worse. We must pass the "Care Not Cash" initiative. We must ensure that the money we are spending on homelessness goes to providing long-term solutions, not short-term fixes.

And while our current Supervisor fights for the rights of the city's homeless to live on our streets, I've been working so that our city can help fix the failing system.

I've established an organization to help pass the Care-Not-Cash Initiative because I believe that rather than direct cash payments to San Francisco's homeless population, that money could be better spent on real services such as shelters, drug treatment, job training and counseling.

The current system is not humane, and it is not serving the homeless or the taxpayers of San Francisco. San Francisco spends millions funding short-term shelters. Frequently people are unwilling to sleep in these shelters because they feel unsafe. If homeless people do choose to take a shelter bed, they are likely to be sent outside to the streets during the daytime hours, left to search for the kinds of services and counseling that will help them to move beyond homelessness.

As Supervisor I will work to ensure that the money we are spending on homelessness goes to providing long-term solutions, not short-term fixes. We should provide supportive housing solutions for individuals as well as families. These programs would give people shelter, social services, day care centers and health clinics. The formerly homeless would have access to treatment, job training programs and skill centers. Instead of spending their days worrying about whether or not they will get a safe bed in the City's housing lottery, people will be able to work on the bigger issues such as getting over addiction, learning skills or a trade, and eventually finding a job.

At the dawn of the 21st Century, in one of the wealthiest cities in the world, people should not be forced to sleep on the streets. Not only is this inhumane, but it also sends a message to businesses, residents and tourists that San Francisco does not care. San Francisco does care - this is a city with a very big heart. However the band-aid approach we are using to address the challenges of homeless simply is not working.