Day 43 of the 16th St. Crackdown From eviction to upkeep

Feliciano Aranda painted over graffiti on a wall outside the Kailash Hotel on Tuesday, addressing concerns about increased police presence at the nearby 16th Street plaza. While he worries about harassment, he believes that the cleanup effort might offer some benefit. Aranda proposed that job training for unhoused individuals could yield better results than current measures, suggesting they might accept lower wages for similar work. A man approached him seeking job opportunities, underscoring the demand for employment in the area. Aranda, who experienced homelessness after being evicted during the pandemic, has worked at the hotel for about a year.

He noted that his eviction was not due to substance abuse but rather losing his home when his landlord passed away. Born in San Francisco and having spent time in Nicaragua, Aranda expresses a desire to remain in the city. His situation reflects broader issues of housing instability and the potential for job creation to aid the unhoused population.