What the numbers tell us about homelessness in San Francisco

San Francisco has been implementing different ways to combat homelessness and encampments in the city. An estimated 650,000 homeless people are living in the U.S. and California is home to nearly a third of the homeless population in the country.

According to federal data from January 2024, there are 2,910 people sleeping outdoors in San Francisco , a 13% decrease from 2022 and the lowest in 10 years. However, the total number of people experiencing homelessness has increased 7% since 2022 to more than 8,000 people.

So while the overall number of homeless people is increasing, the number living on the streets of San Francisco is decreasing. This can be attributed to several factors which lead Straight Arrow News to look into the numbers.

The number of people staying in city shelters has increased 39% since 2019. The city said more people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco are in shelters than ever before.

In June, one Supreme Court decision cleared the way for cities to enforce bans on sleeping outdoors in public places. So far San Francisco city crews have removed 1,200 tents and structures.

The city has also made available 4,200 emergency shelter beds for homeless families and individuals. The city said it has moved 5,250 people from homelessness to housing from July 2023 to June 2024.

Since the Supreme Court’s decision, Mayor London Breed, D, has implemented a more aggressive approach to tackling the issue of homeless encampments including giving police and city workers more leeway to prevent additional tents from popping up. City police have issued at least 150 citations for illegal lodging since Aug. 1.

Breed is also focusing on the city’s relocation services. With 40% of homeless people saying they are from another California county or out of state, the city is looking to reunite them with their families located outside of San Francisco.

However, beyond the numbers are the people themselves and other reasons behind the homeless crisis.

According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty , some of the main causes that lead to homelessness in major cities are lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, low wages, substance abuse, mental illness and lack of needed services.

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