CREATION OF HOMELESSNESS - Revision history

Ccarlsson: added color box to abstract

2014-03-18T01:13:06Z

added color box to abstract

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:13, 17 March 2014
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	'''This article analyzes the emergence and evolution of homelessness in San Francisco.		{\| style="color: black; background-color: #F5DA81;"
	It explains the causes of widespread homelessness in the 1980s: city gentrification		\| colspan="2" \|'''This article analyzes the emergence and evolution of homelessness in San Francisco. It explains the causes of widespread homelessness in the 1980s: city gentrification processes, a decline in the mental-health system, and reductions in federal subsidies. Subsequently, it describes the different approaches taken by Mayors Feinstein, Agnos, and Jordan. The article argues that Agnos’s focus on providing permanent housing was more successful that the policies of both his predecessor and his successor, but concludes that none of these three mayors succeeded in eliminating widespread, visible homelessness in the city.'''
	processes, a decline in the mental-health system, and reductions in federal subsidies.		\|}
	Subsequently, it describes the different approaches taken by Mayors Feinstein, Agnos,
	and Jordan. The article argues that Agnos’s focus on providing permanent housing was more
	successful that the policies of both his predecessor and his successor, but concludes that
	none of these three mayors succeeded in eliminating widespread, visible homelessness
	in the city.'''

Lisaruth: added sentence to abstract

2013-05-01T16:15:53Z

added sentence to abstract

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	processes, a decline in the mental-health system, and reductions in federal subsidies.		processes, a decline in the mental-health system, and reductions in federal subsidies.
	Subsequently, it describes the different approaches taken by Mayors Feinstein, Agnos,		Subsequently, it describes the different approaches taken by Mayors Feinstein, Agnos,
	and Jordan.'''		and Jordan. The article argues that Agnos’s focus on providing permanent housing was more
			successful that the policies of both his predecessor and his successor, but concludes that
			none of these three mayors succeeded in eliminating widespread, visible homelessness
			in the city.'''

Lisaruth: added abstract

2013-04-26T00:40:56Z

added abstract

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 25 April 2013
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	''Photo: Chris Carlsson''		''Photo: Chris Carlsson''


			'''This article analyzes the emergence and evolution of homelessness in San Francisco.
			It explains the causes of widespread homelessness in the 1980s: city gentrification
			processes, a decline in the mental-health system, and reductions in federal subsidies.
			Subsequently, it describes the different approaches taken by Mayors Feinstein, Agnos,
			and Jordan.'''


	Although visible and widespread homelessness emerged unexpectedly in San Francisco in 1982, its causes are not a mystery. Consider some of the events that occurred in the preceding decade:		Although visible and widespread homelessness emerged unexpectedly in San Francisco in 1982, its causes are not a mystery. Consider some of the events that occurred in the preceding decade:

Lisaruth at 22:02, 20 January 2009

2009-01-20T22:02:26Z

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	'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Historical Essay</font></font> </font>'''		'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Historical Essay</font></font> </font>'''

	''by Randy Shaw''		''by Randy Shaw, 1996''

	[[Image:housing1$hayes-valley.jpg]]		[[Image:housing1$hayes-valley.jpg]]
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	The persistence of widespread visible homelessness for nearly fifteen continuous years has led many San Franciscans to erroneously conclude the problem's unsolvable. Mayor Willie Brown's approach to homelessness will be seen in the years ahead.		The persistence of widespread visible homelessness for nearly fifteen continuous years has led many San Franciscans to erroneously conclude the problem's unsolvable. Mayor Willie Brown's approach to homelessness will be seen in the years ahead.

	~~''--Randy Shaw ''(1996)~~

Ccarlsson: Protected "CREATION OF HOMELESSNESS": finished essay [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

2009-01-07T06:06:07Z

Protected "CREATION OF HOMELESSNESS": finished essay [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:06, 6 January 2009
(No difference)

Ccarlsson: PC and protected

2009-01-07T06:05:52Z

PC and protected

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:05, 6 January 2009
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			'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Historical Essay</font></font> </font>'''

			''by Randy Shaw''

	[[Image:housing1$hayes-valley.jpg]]		[[Image:housing1$hayes-valley.jpg]]

Ccarlsson at 21:05, 4 October 2008

2008-10-04T21:05:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:05, 4 October 2008
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	[[Burnham Plan 1905 \| Prev. Document]] [[SF Housing ~~Menu~~ \| Next Document]]		[[Burnham Plan 1905 \| Prev. Document]] [[Housing and Land-Use \| Next Document]]

	[[category:housing]] [[category:1970s]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:1990s]] [[category:Redevelopment]] [[category:Gentrification]] [[category:homeless]]		[[category:housing]] [[category:1970s]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:1990s]] [[category:Redevelopment]] [[category:Gentrification]] [[category:homeless]]

Ccarlsson at 20:56, 4 October 2008

2008-10-04T20:56:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:56, 4 October 2008
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	'''Hayes Valley South, public housing demolished 1996.'''		'''Hayes Valley South, public housing demolished 1996.'''

			''Photo: Chris Carlsson''

			[[Image:housing1$homeless-sofa.jpg]]

			'''San Francisco homeless policy in action'''

			''Photo: Chris Carlsson''

	Although visible and widespread homelessness emerged unexpectedly in San Francisco in 1982, its causes are not a mystery. Consider some of the events that occurred in the preceding decade:		Although visible and widespread homelessness emerged unexpectedly in San Francisco in 1982, its causes are not a mystery. Consider some of the events that occurred in the preceding decade:

	The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency destroyed thousands of low-cost single room occupancy hotels in the South of Market for "urban renewal."		-- The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency destroyed thousands of low-cost single room occupancy hotels in the South of Market for "urban renewal."

	The City's Rehabilitation Assistance program (RAP) forced thousands of low-income tenants to leave the upper Haight-Ashbury, initiating a [[MEPHISTOPOLY: The "Game" of Gentrification \|gentrification ]]process that would virtually eliminate privately owned low-cost housing in the neighborhood.		-- The City's Rehabilitation Assistance program (RAP) forced thousands of low-income tenants to leave the upper Haight-Ashbury, initiating a [[MEPHISTOPOLY: The "Game" of Gentrification \|gentrification ]]process that would virtually eliminate privately owned low-cost housing in the neighborhood.

	The City's Planning Department reported that over 6,000 single room occupancy units were lost from 1975-79, and another 1,700 from 1981-88.		-- The City's Planning Department reported that over 6,000 single room occupancy units were lost from 1975-79, and another 1,700 from 1981-88.

	Rapidly increasing real estate values led to significant increases in rent citywide and displacement of low-income tenants through neighborhood gentrification.		-- Rapidly increasing real estate values led to significant increases in rent citywide and displacement of low-income tenants through neighborhood gentrification.

	The statewide mental health system steadily declined and board-and-care homes were converted to market-rate homes, rental housing, or condominiums.		-- The statewide mental health system steadily declined and board-and-care homes were converted to market-rate homes, rental housing, or condominiums.

	The federal government responded to these events, which also occurred in similar forms throughout America's major cities, by sharply reducing the availability of subsidized housing. Thus, as the gap between people's incomes and housing costs widened, federal housing policy failed to intervene to prevent rising homelessness.		-- The federal government responded to these events, which also occurred in similar forms throughout America's major cities, by sharply reducing the availability of subsidized housing. Thus, as the gap between people's incomes and housing costs widened, federal housing policy failed to intervene to prevent rising homelessness.

	Because visible, widespread homelessness had not been seen in America since the Great Depression, public officials treated the problem as temporary. San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein consistently described homelessness as a passing phenomenon and relied entirely on short-term, expensive solutions. Rather than provide funds for non-profit housing corporations to acquire permanently affordable housing for homeless persons, Feinstein spent millions housing homeless persons for one-night stands in single room occupancy hotels. Feinstein's "hotline hotel" program diverted millions of dollars away from permanent solutions to homelessness. These millions actually increased homelessness by transforming SROs from offering permanent housing to transient occupancy of the hotline.		Because visible, widespread homelessness had not been seen in America since the Great Depression, public officials treated the problem as temporary. San Francisco [[Mayor Dianne Feinstein\|Mayor Dianne Feinstein]] consistently described homelessness as a passing phenomenon and relied entirely on short-term, expensive solutions. Rather than provide funds for non-profit housing corporations to acquire permanently affordable housing for homeless persons, Feinstein spent millions housing homeless persons for one-night stands in single room occupancy hotels. Feinstein's "hotline hotel" program diverted millions of dollars away from permanent solutions to homelessness. These millions actually increased homelessness by transforming SROs from offering permanent housing to transient occupancy of the hotline.

	The government's inadequate response to the increasing numbers of Americans unable to afford housing caused homelessness to increase throughout the 1980s. In 1988, under newly elected Mayor Art Agnos, San Francisco chartered a new direction in homeless policy by redirecting its resources away from band-aid efforts and toward permanent affordable housing. Since 1988, the nonprofit acquisition and construction of affordable housing with accompanying supportive services have removed thousands of people from the ranks of the homeless. Funds were provided to nonprofit housing development corporations to purchase single room occupancy hotels for low-cost permanent housing for homeless persons.		The government's inadequate response to the increasing numbers of Americans unable to afford housing caused homelessness to increase throughout the 1980s. In 1988, under newly elected [[Mayor Art Agnos\|Mayor Art Agnos]], San Francisco chartered a new direction in homeless policy by redirecting its resources away from band-aid efforts and toward permanent affordable housing. Since 1988, the nonprofit acquisition and construction of affordable housing with accompanying supportive services have removed thousands of people from the ranks of the homeless. Funds were provided to nonprofit housing development corporations to purchase single room occupancy hotels for low-cost permanent housing for homeless persons.

	The nightmarish hotline hotel system was dismantled and replaced by a Modified Payments Program that provided permanent housing to General Assistance and SSI recipients at below-market rents. This focus on reducing homelessness by providing affordable permanent housing was embodied in "Beyond Shelter," a blueprint for San Francisco homeless policy that became a national model.		The nightmarish hotline hotel system was dismantled and replaced by a Modified Payments Program that provided permanent housing to General Assistance and SSI recipients at below-market rents. This focus on reducing homelessness by providing affordable permanent housing was embodied in "Beyond Shelter," a blueprint for San Francisco homeless policy that became a national model.
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	Agnos' reelection effort in 1991 marked a turning point for San Francisco homeless policy. Former Police Chief Frank Jordan transformed homelessness into a law and order issue, rendering Agnos' successful expansion of permanent housing for homeless persons politically irrelevant. Jordan argued that Agnos' toleration of camping in Civic Center Park symbolized the incumbent Mayor's unwillingness to take the harsh action necessary to reduce homelessness. Jordan's narrow upset victory was attributable to many factors, but none was greater than public anger over persistent homelessness.		Agnos' reelection effort in 1991 marked a turning point for San Francisco homeless policy. Former Police Chief Frank Jordan transformed homelessness into a law and order issue, rendering Agnos' successful expansion of permanent housing for homeless persons politically irrelevant. Jordan argued that Agnos' toleration of camping in Civic Center Park symbolized the incumbent Mayor's unwillingness to take the harsh action necessary to reduce homelessness. Jordan's narrow upset victory was attributable to many factors, but none was greater than public anger over persistent homelessness.

	Frank Jordan's mayoralty sought to transform homelessness from a housing to a police issue. Through various ballot initiatives and his controversial "matrix" program, Jordan sought to reduce homelessness by encouraging poor people to leave town.		[[Mayor Frank Jordan\|Frank Jordan]]'s mayoralty sought to transform homelessness from a housing to a police issue. Through various ballot initiatives and his controversial "matrix" program, Jordan sought to reduce homelessness by encouraging poor people to leave town.

	This approach had failed under Mayor Feinstein, and Jordan's strategy met a similar end. While Jordan's political advisers had assumed that the Matrix ~~programin~~ which homeless people were routinely ~~arrestedwould~~ lead the Mayor to re-election, polls taken during the 1995 mayoral campaign gave Jordan low marks on addressing homelessness.		This approach had failed under Mayor Feinstein, and Jordan's strategy met a similar end. While Jordan's political advisers had assumed that the Matrix program--in which homeless people were routinely arrested--would lead the Mayor to re-election, polls taken during the 1995 mayoral campaign gave Jordan low marks on addressing homelessness.

	The persistence of widespread visible homelessness for nearly fifteen continuous years has led many San Franciscans to erroneously conclude the problem's unsolvable. Mayor Willie Brown's approach to homelessness will be seen in the years ahead.		The persistence of widespread visible homelessness for nearly fifteen continuous years has led many San Franciscans to erroneously conclude the problem's unsolvable. Mayor Willie Brown's approach to homelessness will be seen in the years ahead.

	''--Randy Shaw ''(1996)		''--Randy Shaw ''(1996)

	~~[[Image:housing1$homeless-sofa.jpg]]~~

	~~San Francisco homeless policy in action~~

	~~photos by Chris Carlsson~~


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	[[Burnham Plan 1905 \| Prev. Document]] [[SF Housing Menu \| Next Document]]		[[Burnham Plan 1905 \| Prev. Document]] [[SF Housing Menu \| Next Document]]

	[[category:housing]]		[[category:housing]] [[category:1970s]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:1990s]] [[category:Redevelopment]] [[category:Gentrification]] [[category:homeless]]

Ccarlsson at 03:47, 9 March 2008

2008-03-09T03:47:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:47, 8 March 2008
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	photos by Chris Carlsson		photos by Chris Carlsson

	~~[[category:housing]]~~

	[[Burnham Plan 1905 \| Prev. Document]] [[SF Housing Menu \| Next Document]]		[[Burnham Plan 1905 \| Prev. Document]] [[SF Housing Menu \| Next Document]]

			[[category:housing]]

Ccarlsson at 03:46, 9 March 2008

2008-03-09T03:46:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:46, 8 March 2008
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	photos by Chris Carlsson		photos by Chris Carlsson

	[category:housing]		[[category:housing]]

	[[Burnham Plan 1905 Prev. Document]] [[SF Housing Menu Next Document]]		[[Burnham Plan 1905 \| Prev. Document]] [[SF Housing Menu \| Next Document]]