Re: Fw: A PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS IN SAN FRANCISCO,andpossibleytheworld if implimented right!!
William Tinker (wtinker@fcgnetworks.net)
Mon, 22 Nov 1999 20:18:59 -0500
11-22-99
Hello!
If there was such a thing as wishes that came true I would wish that our
government,or big brother would reserve some of its money for housing
homeless, and ending poverty as we know it?
Because if not our most precious commodity is wasted and that is what?Human
life....thats correct ,and it appears some of the politico,s just don,t care
to get it facts do speak louder than words.
I question whether or not the politicians kisten to only one drum beat or
do they actually hear our crys in the wilderness?
I can dream and if enough people see the same dream or vision perhaps
congress and the rest will learn from past mistakes....
History has a way of repeating its self so I pray our country has learned
from the Irish Potato Famine days,Canada has to listen to to its people,
just as our politicians need to do!!!
William Tinker
25 Granite Street
Northfield,N.H. 03276
----- Original Message -----
From: unclescam <unclescam@buskers.org>
To: William Tinker <wtinker@fcgnetworks.net>; HPN <hpn@aspin.asu.edu>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 1999 7:42 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: A PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS IN SAN
FRANCISCO,andpossibleytheworld if implimented right!!
> ok i live to sqawk n squeek. what you do here i do every day..... i
wasn't
> questioning your actions. i was wondering if you actually thought this
plan was
> worth putting out as a "plan" or would be better as a wish list to send
to
> santa. i think there is a problem with insisting the state do anything if
the
> ideal would be self empowerment. these two are in contradiction. i do not
have
> a plan to empower anyone to succeed in the manner they prefer and see
nothing
> in this list of demands on the state which will empower anyone.
> now on this squeeky wheel getting grease . we have been greased enough
to
> slide into the cesspool. we need some sand ( old term , gumption ) and
physical
> action to overcome the status we now have. begging obviously works as
well as
> berating the beautocracy .
> and then we come to the bum. are you a vagrant or a hobo or a knight of
the
> road or a child of the isrealites roaming homeless for 40 years or a hippy
> livin on god's green earth owning nothing cause ownership doesn't exist.
> transcients are and always will be. let us find ways to help those folk
who
> really don't like livin in poverty. let's find a way to educate them .
>
> William Tinker wrote:
>
> > 11-22-99
> > Hello,
> > I was told by my father a thirty year man in the service that if I
wished
> > in one hand and defecated in the other that I would get my wish,I did
feces
> > in both hands.
> > At any rate I sent the good councillor Jakobek,from Toronto the plan,so
he
> > can do what he wants with it,if not I sent him enough toilet paper for
the
> > week!
> > Remember a squeaking wheel gets the most oil,and I am definitely making
> > some noise,I would like for the suits to listen to the advocates and the
> > homeless. Because they must if they ever intend on resolving these
issues
> > you know that,as well as anybody....Because you more than likely are
correct
> > apathy will kill us all eventually,but if I can call attention to the
fact
> > that not all homeless are drug crazed maniacs,nor homicidal serial
> > killers,it,s has been the other way around for some time now or haven,t
you
> > noticed?
> > Why have you got a plan you,d care to introduce? I would send that too
if
> > it looked like it was workable but if you had one you could submit it to
the
> > homeless net work yourself.....
> > I believe that some one will take the ball and run with it,because it
is a
> > political issue one that needs to be addressed and corrected in our life
> > time, or our whole world might become transients.......
> > "Halelujah I,m A Bum,Halelujah Bum Again" "A Brother In Strife And
In
> > Peace" Bill Tinker
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: unclescam <unclescam@buskers.org>
> > To: William Tinker <wtinker@fcgnetworks.net>; HPN <hpn@aspin.asu.edu>
> > Sent: Monday, November 22, 1999 5:35 PM
> > Subject: Re: Fw: A PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS IN SAN FRANCISCO,and
> > possibleytheworld if implimented right!!
> >
> > > bill, is there a difference between a wish list and a plan ?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > William Tinker wrote:
> > >
> > > > 11-22-99
> > > > Councillor Jakobek,
> > > > Please find a plan to end homelessness in San Francisco,it can be
> > modified
> > > > to fit every city,state ot country,if done correctly....I believe
that
> > there
> > > > are some very intelligent advocates, and homeless persons out there
that
> > > > would be glad to give you some positive and constructive ideas on
this
> > > > international dilemma...
> > > > Won,t you open your mind and your heart towards your fellowman?
> > > > Sincerely yours,
> > > > William Tinker
> > > > 25 Granite Street
> > > > Northfield,N.H.03276
> > > > 1-603-286-2492
> > > >
> > > > -- Original Message -----
> > > > From: ch@nce <coh@sfo.com>
> > > > To: <wtinker@fcgnetworks.net>
> > > > Sent: Monday, November 15, 1999 10:40 PM
> > > > Subject: A PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS IN SAN FRANCISCO
> > > >
> > > > > Bill, you inspire me. Peace, ch@nce
> > > > >
> > > > >
**********************************************************************
> > > > > ***********************
> > > > >
> > > > > A PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS IN SAN FRANCISCO
> > > > >
> > > > > Compiled by Homeless and Poor People in San Francisco
> > > > >
> > > > > HOMELESS PEOPLE'S CONGRESS
> > > > > October 27, 1999
> > > > > Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > WE THE HOMELESS PEOPLE
> > > > > ratify the following action plan to end of homelessness on this
> > > > > twenty-seventh of October, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety Nine.
> > > > >
> > > > > Introduction
> > > > >
> > > > > San Francisco has failed to solve the problem of homelessness.
> > > > > While the number of homeless individuals and families in San
Francisco
> > > > > and across the U.S. has continued to rise at an alarming rate, we
have
> > > > > witnessed an alarming increase in police-based responses to the
> > presence
> > > > > of homeless people in public spaces. But homelessness is an
economic
> > > > > issue, not a nuisance issue.
> > > > >
> > > > > There has been precious little public discussion of the reality
that
> > > > > homelessness, like most other social problems, can, in fact, be
> > > > > alleviated. The Coalition on Homelessness submits the following
Plan
> > > > > For Action to all concerned residents of the City and County of
San
> > > > > Francisco, and urge all who are concerned about the homeless
problem
> > to
> > > > > take action for change.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Guiding Principles
> > > > >
> > > > > o We must ensure that homeless people can actively participate in
> > > > > the development and implementation of programs and policies that
> > > > > directly or indirectly impact homeless people.
> > > > >
> > > > > o The City must stop sinking money into temporary Band-Aid
> > > > > solutions.
> > > > >
> > > > > o The City must stop creating and continuing policies that
> > > > > criminalize people for life sustaining acts that they must do in
> > public
> > > > > because they are homeless.
> > > > >
> > > > > o The City must ensure that all services in San Francisco must be
> > > > > provided with dignity, respect and equality.
> > > > >
> > > > > o The City and its Departments must provide honest, accurate and
> > > > > timely information about policies and decision making.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Services should be culturally appropriate and competent for the
> > > > > populations being served.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Action Steps
> > > > >
> > > > > Housing
> > > > >
> > > > > The City must have a commitment to provide dignified, decent
housing
> > to
> > > > > meet the needs of homeless and very low-income people in San
> > Francisco.
> > > > > Central to this commitment is the responsibility to develop new
> > funding
> > > > > sources dedicated to the creation of truly affordable housing.
> > > > >
> > > > > 1. Create a Housing Trust Fund from general fund money that is
> > > > > dedicated to the creation of low income housing.
> > > > >
> > > > > 2. All new housing should be developed, maintained and operated by
> > > > > homeless people paid a living wage and available for all homeless
San
> > > > > Franciscans regardless of background.
> > > > >
> > > > > o For those who need it, mental health and substance use services
> > > > > would be offered.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Housing created should serve all those who are homeless
individuals
> > > > > including unmarried couples, alternative families, youth, seniors,
and
> > > > > people with disabilities.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Housing created should have kitchen facilities and adequate
> > > > > bathroom/shower facilities.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Low income housing must make accommodations for people's pets.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Substance use should not be a barrier to housing.
> > > > >
> > > > > 3. Create housing subsidies for families and individuals to ensure
> > > > > that a shorter waiting list for Section 8, and other housing
programs
> > > > > exists.
> > > > >
> > > > > 4. Pass legislation that mandates that 20% of all surplus public
> > > > > lands be dedicated to housing homeless people.
> > > > >
> > > > > 5. Change HUD regulation to give currently homeless families and
> > > > > individuals priority to get into public housing.
> > > > >
> > > > > 6. Make existing housing available at the Presidio for homeless
> > > > > people.
> > > > >
> > > > > 7. Pass the Public Housing Protection Act that would provide one
to
> > > > > one replacement of all HUD housing units demolished by the federal
> > > > > government, ensures financial accountability, and guarantees the
> > rights
> > > > > of people to return to housing.
> > > > >
> > > > > 8. Expand funding a citywide eviction prevention which combines
legal
> > > > > services with grants for back payment of rent.
> > > > >
> > > > > 9. Hotels must not be allowed to force people to move after 27
days
> > > > > to avoid their gaining tenant rights. All other loopholes
allowing
> > > > > landlords to evict low income tenants should be closed.
> > > > >
> > > > > 10. Implement "vacancy control" so landlords will not be allowed
to
> > > > > raise the rent when a tenant moves out.
> > > > >
> > > > > 11. Utilize housing that is in tax default and has code violations
> > > > > for homeless families and individuals.
> > > > >
> > > > > 12. Ensure that housing affordable to extremely and very
low-income
> > > > > people will conform to health and building standards by holding
> > funding
> > > > > contingent on buildings meeting health and safety codes.
> > > > >
> > > > > 13. Hotels should be restricted from charging residents for
> > > > > non-overnight visitors. One piece of ID should be sufficient for
> > > > > visitors.
> > > > >
> > > > > 14. Change laws to make squatting legal.
> > > > >
> > > > > 15. Refuse to let police or Sheriff evict tenants under new
> > > > > non-citizenship clause of the Quality Housing and Work
Responsibility
> > > > > Act.
> > > > >
> > > > > 16. Ban HUD from sharing information with the INS.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Economic Justice
> > > > >
> > > > > People must have adequate access to humane employment, and
economic
> > > > > opportunities in order to acquire and maintain housing.
> > > > >
> > > > > 1. Actively support a living wage bill in San Francisco that will
> > > > > allow working families and individuals to be self-sufficient.
> > > > >
> > > > > 2. Ensure full implementation of First Source Legislation which
> > > > > requires businesses that contract with the city to hire homeless
> > people
> > > > > and public assistance recipients, as well as have training
programs
> > that
> > > > > lead people into jobs.
> > > > >
> > > > > 3. Establish citywide jobs program, making 200 full-time and 100
> > > > > part-time jobs available to workfare workers at prevailing wages
for a
> > > > > period of 2 years.
> > > > >
> > > > > 4. Award workfare workers the rights of other union employees,
> > > > > including paying prevailing wages, work place protections and
allow
> > for
> > > > > other benefits.
> > > > >
> > > > > 5. Provide more language and training programs for all individuals
> > > > > with more appropriate schedules that allow for those that work or
have
> > > > > children to attend.
> > > > >
> > > > > 6. Provide training and opportunities in alternative economies
where
> > > > > documentation is not a barrier to employment. This includes the
> > > > > creation of more day labor and casual labor opportunities where
you
> > are
> > > > > hired if you show up and you are paid at the end of the day.
Workers
> > > > > should also be provided with worker rights training.
> > > > >
> > > > > 7. Provide job retention services to ensure that there are
necessary
> > > > > support services for homeless people placed in jobs.
> > > > >
> > > > > 8. Make quality, affordable childcare available to working parents
> > > > > and those in search of work.
> > > > >
> > > > > 9. Make welfare treat recipients with respect: keep recipients
> > > > > informed of their status, reduce paperwork, and provide ongoing,
> > > > > adequate training for workers.
> > > > >
> > > > > 10. Expedite reciprocity agreement with adjoining counties that
allow
> > > > > families forced to leave San Francisco to continue their training,
> > > > > education, childcare and other welfare related programs in San
> > Francisco
> > > > > while they receive their benefits in their new county of
residence.
> > > > >
> > > > > 11. All welfare recipients should receive an annual cost of living
> > > > > increase.
> > > > >
> > > > > 12. Voluntary money management program should be available for
those
> > > > > who seek it.
> > > > >
> > > > > 13. Reform the PAES program to include voluntary job placement.
and
> > > > > provision of decent housing for no more than 30% of monthly
income.
> > > > > Department of Human Services should not stipulate where PAES
> > recipients
> > > > > look for employment.
> > > > >
> > > > > 14. Provide more employment opportunities that do not
discriminate
> > > > > based on criminal convictions, legal status and lack of official
> > > > > identification.
> > > > >
> > > > > 15. The City should apply for State and Federal grants to create
> > > > > jobs that pay a living wage.
> > > > >
> > > > > 16. Places need to be established for homeless people to put their
> > > > > pets and belongings while they are working, as well as
availability of
> > > > > appropriate work and interview clothing.
> > > > >
> > > > > 17. Service providers and businesses should have apprenticeship
> > > > > programs for homeless people to enter the industry.
> > > > >
> > > > > 18. All services, including shelters, job training, education,
and
> > > > > health care must be accessible to employed individuals needs.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Health Care
> > > > >
> > > > > Health care must be made accessible and available to all, focused
on
> > > > > quality, appropriate to the needs of patients or clients,
integrated
> > in
> > > > > its approach, convenient in its location and compassionate in its
> > > > > application.
> > > > >
> > > > > 1. Commit to full funding of treatment on demand to build a
community
> > > > > based treatment system that fully serves the diversity of San
> > Francisco.
> > > > >
> > > > > o This must include bilingual and culturally appropriate substance
> > > > > use treatment.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Access should also include twenty-four hour services such as
detox,
> > > > > and include facilities for youth.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Minors should be able to access to all treatment (including
> > > > > methadone) without parental consent or fear of legal trouble.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Aftercare for people who go through residential or outpatient
drug
> > > > > treatment to help them adjust to life on the outsides.
> > > > >
> > > > > o Harm reduction principles should be integrated into all
treatment
> > > > > programs.
> > > > >
> > > > > 2. Rebuild the mental health care system to address both the acute
> > > > > and chronic mental health care needs of homeless San Franciscans,
> > > > > including culturally appropriate and bilingual mental health care.
> > This
> > > > > includes the expansion of all levels of treatment including
expansion
> > of
> > > > > residential treatment programs, both in number and length of stay.
> > > > > Mental health treatment should be voluntary and not require
> > > > > incarceration in order to access treatment.
> > > > >
> > > > > 3. Guaranteed access and clientele's choice to the latest
medication
> > > > > and therapy including holistic therapy.
> > > > >
> > > > > 4. The City must make all efforts to make health care facilities
> > > > > welcome and available to homeless people. This means having well
> > > > > trained staff, as well as not prohibiting homeless people from
being
> > on
> > > > > clinic properties after hours.
> > > > >
> > > > > 5. Increase availability of mobile medical vans to increase access
to
> > > > > health care to people who are unable to access the clinics and
> > > > > hospitals.
> > > > >
> > > > > 6. Provide bilingual and culturally sensitive programs for women
that
> > > > > come from domestic violence.
> > > > >
> > > > > 7. Bathrooms should be accessible 24 hours throughout the City.
> > > > >
> > > > > 8. Ensure that individuals who are hospitalized during their stay
> > > > > at a shelter do not lose their bed space.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Civil and Human Rights
> > > > >
> > > > > The human and civil rights of all people must be respected,
regardless
> > > > > of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or economic
> > status.
> > > > > People forced to live on the streets and in shelters should not
face
> > > > > additional discrimination as a result
> > > > >
> > > > > 1. Always separate the criminal justice system from service
providers
> > > > > and the provision of benefits.
> > > > >
> > > > > 2. Take affirmative steps to end hate crimes directed against
> > > > > homeless and very poor people.
> > > > >
> > > > > 3. Prohibit all private taxation "benefit zones," (Business
> > > > > Improvement Districts) that privatize public spaces and act to
further
> > > > > criminalize homelessness through the use of private security
forces.
> > > > >
> > > > > 4. All social service staff should be well trained and safeguard
the
> > > > > privacy and property rights of homeless people.
> > > > >
> > > > > 5. All homeless people should be treated with respect, equality
and
> > > > > without discrimination regardless of race, ethnicity, religion,
> > > > > disability, housing and economic status, substance use, nature of
> > > > > employment, age, immigration status, gender, gender preference, or
> > > > > sexual orientation.
> > > > >
> > > > > 6. Embrace equal access to public spaces for homeless and non
> > > > > homeless people, including the elimination of architectural
barriers
> > to
> > > > > people being in such public places.
> > > > >
> > > > > 7. Ban all laws, and enforcement of laws that in practice target
> > > > > homeless people for their status of being homeless.
> > > > >
> > > > > 8. Implement a comprehensive independent grievance process for all
> > > > > city social services and treatment programs.
> > > > >
> > > > > 9. Provide twenty four hour notice before removing homeless
people's
> > > > > unattended property, and stop the confiscation of any property
that is
> > > > > attended.
> > > > >
> > > > > 10. All programs must comply with applicable local, state and
> > > > > federal disability rights laws protecting the rights of persons
with
> > > > > disabilities and insuring access to government benefits and
services.
> > > > >
> > > > > 11. Programs that provide shelter, housing and treatment services
to
> > > > > families shall not require that families separate as a condition
of
> > > > > obtaining these resources. This includes alternative families and
> > > > > unmarried couples.
> > > > >
> > > > > 12. Ensure that community oversight bodies, including Local
Homeless
> > > > > Coordinating Board, are empowered in full, work to receive direct
> > input
> > > > > from people using the services, and ensure both quality services
and
> > > > > financial accountability.
> > > > >
> > > > > 13. Ensure Shelter Monitoring Committee is fully empowered in all
> > > > > city funded shelters to monitor shelters, and receive direct input
> > from
> > > > > homeless people staying in shelters, as well as front line staff.
> > > > >
> > > > > Conclusion
> > > > >
> > > > > In a City which is rapidly losing affordable housing, the above
> > > > > steps should be viewed as steps toward proactively addressing
> > > > > homelessness. So long as public discourse on the problem of
> > > > > homelessness remains centered around "Quality of Life," and is not
> > > > > explicitly linked to the lack of affordable housing, subsidized
health
> > > > > care, economic equity, and civil rights for the City's indigent
> > > > > residents, the problem will continue to grow.
> > > > >
> > > > > It is has been said that so long as one person is hungry, none can
> > > > > eat in peace. It should also be said that as long as one person
is
> > > > > homeless, none can sleep in peace. It is in the spirit of this
truth
> > > > > that we must not complacently accept that people are sleeping on
the
> > > > > streets in San Francisco. With hard work, we can end homelessness
> > once
> > > > > and for all.
> > > > >
> > > > > We urge all people concerned about the future of San Francisco to
> > > > > earnestly evaluate this Plan. And then to Act upon it.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > ***A note on how this document was put together:
> > > > >
> > > > > This document was based on input received from over 250 homeless
> > people
> > > > > at twenty-six different meetings taking place around the city
during
> > the
> > > > > months of June, July, and August. The sites where input was
gathered
> > > > > include: United Nations Plaza, Collingwood Park, Cesar Chavez
Street,
> > > > > Dolores Street Community Services, Golden Gate Park,
Multi-Service
> > > > > Center North shelter, Multi-Service Center South shelter, Hamilton
> > > > > Family Shelter, Vehicularly Housed Residential Association, St.
> > > > > Anthony's Women's shelter, Lutheran Church, St. Anthony's
Poverello
> > > > > Room, A Women's Place, Mission Rock, A Man's Place, The Sanctuary
> > > > > Shelter, Lutheran Church, Hospitality House, United Nations Plaza,
> > > > > Collingwood Park, Cesar Chavez Street, Dolores Street Community
> > > > > Services, Golden Gate Park, Washington Square Park, Haight Ashbury
> > Youth
> > > > > Outreach, and McMillan Drop-In Center.
> > > > > Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco
> > > > > 468 Turk St.
> > > > > San Francisco, CA 94102
> > > > > vox: (415) 346.3740
> > > > > Fax: (415) 775.5639
> > > > > coh@sfo.com
> > > > > http://www.sfo.com/~coh
> > > > >
> > >
> > >
>
>