San Francisco Residents Oppose Homeless RV Parking In Area

San Francisco CA

23 September, 2021

2:00 PM

Description

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Bayview neighborhood residents are citing concerns of inhumane conditions, illegal dumping and neglect in San Francisco's proposed plans to turn an unused parking lot in the Candlestick Point State Park into a vehicle triage center, according to a press release by neighborhood groups on Tuesday. The neighborhood has seen a 172% increase in RV and vehicle-based residents this year alone, and members of the Bayview Hill Neighborhood Association, the True Hope Square Community group and residents of Candlestick point say the extra 155 spaces for RVs and cars in the lot will only further isolate the community from the resources they need. "While we are deeply sympathetic to the experience of those who are unhoused and who have had to seek shelter in their vehicles, locating these spaces in the Bayview Hunters Point and Candlestick neighborhoods further burden our historically under-resourced and neglected Southeast community," said Shirley Moore, a 40-year resident, in a statement. One survey of 140 residents revealed that community members worry the triage could worsen environmental conditions, the community's access to outdoor recreation, and infrastructure maintenance and repair. Instead, residents want to see greater investments in outdoor activities, to restore the site "as intended," reads a press release from the opposed residents. "Fairness and humanity dictate that we recognize that this is a city and regional problem not exclusively found in the Bayview. A proper solution is an equitable citywide distribution of triage center parking spaces, not a concentration in an already overpopulated area of San Francisco", said Timothy Alan Simon, attorney and Bayview resident, in a statement. But the city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing views the triage center as an alternative to people living on the streets while receiving essential services. "The VTC will not only provide critical and stabilizing services to its guests but will also provide an alternative to street encampments that impact the entire community," reads the proposal. The project is to be voted on by the Board of Supervisors no earlier than September 27. Copyright © 2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.