A Publication of the Coalition on Homelessness
by Street Spirit staff
He was a lifelong advocate advocate for peace, justice and the people whose voices are often left unheard
Terry Messman, the founding editor of Street Spirit, passed away on May 10, 2026 at the age of 74. His family and friends are planning a celebration of life for him later this year. We will share details when a date is confirmed.
photos by Zach Bollinger
As part of a family-friendly event at San Francisco City Hall on June 17, the Coalition on Homelessness hosted an interactive board game with staff from the Supervisors’ offices. The Monopoly-style game illustrates the realities unhoused households and individuals face when navigating the process to secure shelter or housing. One roll of the dice could signify a single step forward, while the next roll could mean two steps backwards.
by Jordan Wasilewski
If you told me when I was a little and in the closet that I would eventually get a first-of-its-kind law passed that would help transgender and disabled people, I would have laughed in your face. However, that is what happened.
In 2015, I was placed into a permanent supportive housing SRO. I spent three months in a unit without a bathroom.
by Monteque Pope-LeBeau
“What are you?”
These are words that another person felt they could say to me. I don’t know why they thought that was OK. Maybe it was the same reasoning that drove doctors to “treat” the “illness” of my gender, ravaging my body when I was an adolescent so many years ago. I still carry the injuries.
Countless others have had similar experiences that they didn’t deserve.
by Adriane Dietrich
Trott-war: I’m very excited to hear what you have to say. Before we get started, a simple but very important question: How are you?
Lea: I’m doing well! A lot has changed since back then. Above all, a lot of things have settled; four years ago, it was all new and different. I still didn’t know where all this was going to take me.
By Katie Doran and Annemarie Cuccia
Last summer, a DC resident was looking for apartments to rent with his newly received housing voucher. The man, who Street Sense is not identifying to protect his family’s privacy and the outreach organization that he worked with, was born in El Salvador. His parents brought him to the US more than 20 years ago,
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,
story and photos by Sarah Menefee
It’s the only moral solution
A woman is harassed by cops during the sweep of a San Francisco alley
Today as more and more of us find ourselves ‘a paycheck away’ from the streets, homelessness is a death sentence for many and a glaring and appalling absurdity in this richest and most powerful nation in the world – one that has lost its heart and soul as the billionaire class plays royalty and as millions struggle and fall.
interview by River Beck
The Coalition on Homelessness relies on the dedication of many incredible volunteer organizers and activists. One organizer in particular, through her consistent and in-depth commitment to San Franciscans experiencing homelessness, has inspired us. She has highlighted the need to more visibly recognize the diverse strengths that volunteers bring to our Human Rights and Housing Justice Working Groups. Thank you, Flo, for your dedication and how you continuously inspire us.
by Jason Albertson
EDITOR’S NOTE: Jason Albertson, a clinical social worker and long-time homeless advocate, died on October 25, 2025. Jason was well known to go to bat for unhoused people, stand up to injustice and engage in nonjudgmental care. His work led countless humans off the streets to have an opportunity to recover and thrive. He was so important to San Francisco and will be dearly missed. Below is a story of Jason’s that Street Sheet originally published in the April 1997 edition.
