A Publication of the Coalition on Homelessness
by Michael Inman
San Francisco calls itself a “Sanctuary City.” In City Hall, that word is a shield. But on the corners of Sixth and Mission streets, or in the shadows of Dore Alley, “sanctuary” has a much darker meaning. If you ask the people living on the pavement, they’ll tell you the truth: San Francisco isn’t a sanctuary; it’s a city of enforcers.
The Refugees We Ignore
The biggest mistake we make is assuming everyone on the street is there by choice.
story and photo by Cathleen Williams
On February 12, six unhoused plaintiffs and Ktown for All, a community organization, scored a stunning win in federal court against the City of Los Angeles. In Garcia v. City of Los Angeles, the court entered judgment against the City because it had falsified hundreds, if not thousands, of records in order to conceal and justify its practice of trashing the belongings of unhoused people living in encampments across the City pursuant to LA Ordinance 57.11,
By Kristen Hwang/CalMatters
A majority of California’s roughly 180,000 people experiencing homelessness have health insurance through Medi-Cal. Providers predict that many will lose insurance under President Donald Trump’s upcoming work mandates even if they qualify for exemptions.
On a brisk January morning, physician assistant Brett Feldman searched the streets of Los Angeles for patients, knocking on car windows and peering into tents. It was the day after a winter storm had doused the city,
by Lukas Illa
In December 2025, Mayor Daniel Lurie and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman called for the creation of a Charter Reform Working Group. As referenced in its name, the working group has been tasked to review the City’s 548-page charter and make recommendations to bring to the ballot in November 2026.
While labor and community organizations have sent delegates to the working group,
by Jordan Wasilewski
In San Francisco, the lion’s share of permanent supportive housing (PSH) stock is single room occupancy hotels (SRO). I was placed in one in 2015, and upon moving in realized the room did not include a refrigerator, cooking appliances or adequate food storage. When I inquired about it, a case manager informed me that tenants aged 60 and over were eligible to receive a fridge, and if I wanted one,
by the Western Regional Advocacy Project
We must celebrate and honor that people remain steadfast in their commitment to organize as the U.S. government has continued its mission of fascist dictatorial rule.
The tactics implemented by today’s American fascist dictatorship have long mirrored similar tyrannical tactics throughout history: “Repression breeds resistance” is a relevant phrase now more than ever.
Organizers across the country have demonstrated that this resistance can take many forms and that’s our strength and our beauty as we build community locally and across the country.
story and photos by Giles Clasen
Holly Norris, 73, has lived unsheltered for more than a decade. Her story cuts through one of the most common myths about homelessness: that people living on the streets choose to be there.
Holly Sue Norris counts blankets the way other people count hours of sleep.
As winter settles in, staying alive outside often comes down to layers and luck.
by Cathleen Williams
Since December 31, 2025, ICE agents have killed three U.S. citizens: Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, and Keith Porter Jr. in Los Angeles.
On February 3, 2026, Renee Nicole Good’s two brothers, Luke and Brent Ganger, testified before Congress. “What a beautiful American we have lost,” Luke Granger said in his opening remarks. Reflecting on his sister’s being and essence,
By Marisa Kendall, CalMatters
A California company is using AI to help diagnose homeless Californians. The technology promises better access to health care, but it also raises questions.
As AI expands into every facet of society, a California company is testing whether the technology can help improve the health of people living on the streets.
Akido Labs, a Los Angeles-based health care technology company that runs clinics and street medicine teams in California,
by Lupe Velez
Historically, the Super Bowl in the City of San Francisco has prompted city officials and local authorities to ramp up sweeps and the clearing of homeless encampments in the downtown area. Leading up to the 2016 Super Bowl—or Super Bowl 50 to sports fans—City officials stated there was no formal City policy to move people for the Super Bowl, which actually took place 45 miles away in Santa Clara and will be on this year’s gameday.
