Day 163 at the 16th St. Plaza A Womans Place

A Woman’s Place shelter in San Francisco saw city employees, including police and outreach workers, replace its usual crowd of women, as a DPW worker conducted a sidewalk cleaning. Lillyonna, a 31-year-old resident, criticized the inadequacy of outreach efforts, stating, "If it’s illegal to be homeless, we need more housing. " She articulated her ongoing struggle to find shelter and the need for case management to acquire life-management skills. Lillyonna also discussed her attempts at recovery, which have been complicated by personal loss, particularly her mother's death. The situation highlights a broader issue of homelessness in San Francisco, where many individuals like Lillyonna face systemic barriers to support.

Advocates stress that effective solutions must include both immediate assistance and long-term housing strategies. The ongoing challenges reflect a pressing need for comprehensive policy changes to address homelessness in urban settings. Lillyonna’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human impact behind the statistics of homelessness.