San Francisco's Homeless Problem

Many of San Francisco's mayors have run on the campaign to stop homelessness. Unfortunately, our homeless problem has not shrunk. Currently the government has adopted the housing first model, Care not Cash, which guarantees housing to all homeless as long as they make the request. Its goal is to house 3000, and this program has already housed 1000 people with a retention rate of 95\%.

However, the homeless problem is far from solved; it is quite possibly growing, though out of sight of many San Franciscans. Care not Cash only targets those who are considered chronically homeless, and overlooks the transient homeless, those who temporarily double or even triple up with friends or family, as well as homeless families with children, youth, and undocumented immigrants.

It is not that the government does not try, but rather that it is taking the wrong approach. We can neither hide the fact that homelessness has become a problem, nor can we push that problem onto other cities with programs like Homeward Bound. We believe that the first step towards solving the problem is to inform the public about it. If we hide our problems in shame, we will never learn from them.

We, the Lowell High Schools Active Homeless Awareness (A.H.A.) and the Undersigned, petition to:
- raise public awareness of homelessness
- bring upon the realization that homelessness is caused by factors beyond the homeless
- improve the way San Francisco is dealing with homelessness, notably improving the Care not Cash program
- reduce the need of panhandling, thus lowering the incentive for the homeless to continue to live on the streets

We believe that now is the time to solve this problem and move on.