By Victoria Aguilar
November 18, 2024
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week begins November 17th, and continues through the 23rd. This week is meant to bring awareness to the pressing issue of hunger and homelessness. Throughout our entire lives, especially living in California, we witness many unhoused individuals and rarely do something to help.
Did you know that in California we have countless amounts of restrictions that target unhoused individuals? The first being our architecture; California along with many other states have implemented specific architecture that targets our unhoused communities. Our benches are now divided into sections that make it impossible for people to lay down. Planter boxes now have thinner strips of cement, that yet again makes it extremely difficult for a person to lay down. These types of architectural shifts are usually referred to as “hostile design.” It is meant to target unhoused individuals that commonly sleep in areas frequented by the public. While it may seem like something insignificant to other portions of the population, it is a huge loss to the unhoused population.
Anti-homeless measures do not stop at architecture. A few months ago, the Supreme Court ruled in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, that cities were able to fine, cite, and punish those who sleep outside in public areas, regardless of whether the cities themselves had anywhere to house these individuals. This is actively criminalizing homelessness instead of doing anything to actually assist those in this position. In California, we have seen a massive increase of homeless encampments being swept up and removed. Many state officials claim that homeless encampments are an issue of public health and safety, however, the issue of homelessness still stands in California.
While this is a contentious topic, it is important to discuss the positives thus far. As of a month ago, Governor Gavin Newsom has awarded millions to 18 specific cities to assist in the unhoused population present. We hope to see change within those cities, followed by a decrease in the unhoused population. Despite this positive action, it is crucial that we recognize the gap in services for individuals on housing waitlists– especially in cities such as San Diego, where the need outweighs the available resources. At Shoreline Community Services, we step in to fill the gaps by offering connections to existing resources and services. To reduce the barriers that can prevent self-sufficiency, we align our most vulnerable neighbors with resources in the greater community.
There are countless ways to support our underserved neighbors right here in our community. Many local organizations are actively seeking volunteers who are passionate about making a positive impact. At Shoreline Community Services, we are always looking for more volunteers; at the Compass Station, for our Outreach program, and trained professionals who want to share their expertise. Fill out our volunteer form if you’re interested! By coming together with compassion and a shared commitment to uplifting our unhoused neighbors, we can work toward a future where we have achieved an interdependent community aligned with a common goal — a thriving, safe and welcoming neighborhood for everyone!
Be sure to keep an eye out for our future blog posts, where you can learn more about Shoreline Community Services and our mission to provide assistance to our most vulnerable neighbors in San Diego. Together, we can make a difference!
Works Cited
California, State of. “Governor Newsom Awards $131 Million to Address Homeless Encampments with Stricter Accountability Measures.” Governor of California, 4 Oct. 2024, www.gov.ca.gov/2024/10/04/governor-newsom-awards-131-million-to-clear-homeless-encampments-with-stricter-accountability-measures/.
Coleman, Jonny. “How Hostile Architecture Conquered Los Angeles.” LAist, 10 Dec. 2021, laist.com/news/la-history/hostile-architecture.
Isley, Garrett. “San Francisco’s Anti-Homeless Architecture.” Xpress Magazine, xpressmagazine.org/21796/all/san-franciscos-anti-homeless-architecture/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
Kendall, Marisa. “Supreme Court Gives Cities in California and beyond More Power to Crack down on Homeless Camps.” CalMatters, 28 June 2024, calmatters.org/housing/2024/06/california-homeless-camps-grants-pass-ruling/.