Forum on San Francisco homelessness finds parallels between events of the 80s and now

A recent public forum convened in San Francisco highlighted the enduring homelessness crisis, echoing issues from the 1980s. Experts, including Kunal Modi and Bevan Dufty, emphasized that rising housing costs and systemic inequalities continue to drive homelessness today. The series, "Understanding Homelessness," featured discussions on mental health services, affordable housing, and legal support. Dufty criticized past administrations for focusing on optics rather than addressing the human aspects of homelessness. Adams noted that youth homelessness remains a pressing issue, exacerbated by factors like family conflict and lack of resources.

She revealed that not having a high school diploma significantly correlates with homelessness among young people. Dufty reinforced the racial disparities in homelessness, highlighting that a disproportionate number of homeless individuals are African American. The forum called for solutions that are responsive to both historical lessons and current challenges.