As the sun rose over Mission Bay condos on King Street near Interstate 280 on Monday, a couple dozen people who were living under the onramp packed up their belongings as city and state officials moved in with a new approach for dealing with the encampment.
The men and women said they were used to city workers coming to clean the encampment, which has occurred fortnightly for the past six months, according to the Department of Public Works. But while San Francisco outreach workers steered several people into housing, the majority in the encampment--thought to be the largest in The City—said they would simply move back once the crews vanished.
However, that might be easier said than done.
Click on the photo at right to see a slideshow of the encampment clearing
After months of delays, Caltrans on Monday was preparing to install specialized fencing to keep out trespassers. And instead of just moving people aside for the cleanup and letting them return, city workers offered to take folks and their belongings to a nearby church in South of Market. There, for the next two days, willing participants will be offered access to services such as housing assistance and mental and physical health checks – the first time such a program has been tried by The City.
Steve Williams, a Caltrans spokesman, said the specialized fencing will cost about $300,000 to install. The first big cleanup of the encampment was in August, but standard fencing put up then was quickly torn down. Other issues at the site included a fire in September.
Bevan Dufty, the Mayor’s Office point-person on homelessness and housing, said that if The City did not offer the instant, guaranteed shelter and access to services, people would likely stay on the streets. And even with the fencing blocking off the overpass, they could just head elsewhere.
“We don’t want to just push people around,” Dufty said.
Many of the people who had been at the site -- which Dufty said “isn’t a safe and habitable place for people” -- said it had become a community.
“We all get along and take care of each other,” said Richie Rosales, who had been there for about six months.
Jensina Hardy said the encampment was “nicer than any other place you could find in The City,” especially because she felt safe there as a woman.
The majority those in the encampment said they would take some type of service offered by The City.
David Wagner, a 45-year-old who works as a part-time cook through as temp agency, said he was hoping housing assistance could get him back on his feet after four months of homelessness.
“If I can get in, then I can go back to work,” Wagner said.
At the City of Refuge church, about a dozen people from the encampment were given food and beverages. Behind them, rows of green mats and blankets were laid out; organizers said there were enough for 50 people to stay overnight.
Supervisor Jane Kim, whose district includes Mission Bay, said the outreach was not about removing people but about providing services.
Jennifer Friedenbach, the executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness, said the group would have rather seen the $300,000 for the fencing spent on homes, but the outreach plan by The City was better than past efforts.
“If The City follows through, it will be a big improvement,” she said.
mbillings@sfexaminer.com
