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

A Woman’s Place in San Francisco, a shelter for 56 women, temporarily hosted city employees conducting a cleaning instead of its usual residents. Lillyonna, a 31-year-old woman who frequents the shelter, voiced her frustration about the lack of available beds and the ineffectiveness of outreach workers. She pointed out that while they mean well, they cannot provide substantial help without sufficient resources. Lillyonna expressed a need for a case manager to help her develop life-management skills, further illustrating the gaps in support for homeless individuals. After her mother's death, she found it challenging to stay engaged with mental health services and recovery efforts.

“If it’s illegal to be homeless, we need more housing,” she said, highlighting the systemic issues facing the homeless community. The cleaning of the sidewalk, conducted by a Department of Public Works crew, raised questions about the city’s priorities in addressing homelessness. This situation reflects the ongoing struggles of many in the city, revealing the urgent need for policy changes and additional resources.