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San Francisco’s Homeless Population Is Much Bigger Than Thought, City Data Suggests San Francisco’s Homeless Population Is Much Bigger Than Thought, City Data Suggests
(about 11 hours later)
By Jill Cowan
Good morning.Good morning.
Today, we’re starting with a dispatch from my colleague Thomas Fuller, who’s based in the Bay Area:Today, we’re starting with a dispatch from my colleague Thomas Fuller, who’s based in the Bay Area:
Many cities across California this year announced sharp increases in homelessness. Yet data from San Francisco suggest the real picture might be a lot worse.Many cities across California this year announced sharp increases in homelessness. Yet data from San Francisco suggest the real picture might be a lot worse.
For years, city governments have measured homelessness by sending out volunteers on a single night to count, as best they could, the number of homeless people they found on the streets or in shelters. By this method San Francisco this year reported 8,011 homeless people, a 17 percent increase over 2017, the last time a count was conducted.For years, city governments have measured homelessness by sending out volunteers on a single night to count, as best they could, the number of homeless people they found on the streets or in shelters. By this method San Francisco this year reported 8,011 homeless people, a 17 percent increase over 2017, the last time a count was conducted.
[Read more about why homeless populations in cities around the state have surged.][Read more about why homeless populations in cities around the state have surged.]
But San Francisco has another, arguably more comprehensive, way of measuring homelessness, and the results are even more alarming.But San Francisco has another, arguably more comprehensive, way of measuring homelessness, and the results are even more alarming.
Over the course of a full year, the city counted twice as many homeless people — 17,595 people, a 30 percent jump from the previous year.Over the course of a full year, the city counted twice as many homeless people — 17,595 people, a 30 percent jump from the previous year.
The data, which are rarely cited in debates on homelessness, come from a city database of homeless people who receive health care and other services from the city.The data, which are rarely cited in debates on homelessness, come from a city database of homeless people who receive health care and other services from the city.
The latest data are from the 2019 fiscal year, which ended in June. If people sought services multiple times during the course of the year they are counted only once.The latest data are from the 2019 fiscal year, which ended in June. If people sought services multiple times during the course of the year they are counted only once.
The 30 percent jump was by far the largest increase of the last eight years, according to the city’s data. Rachael Kagan, the spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Public Health, says this is partly because in the 2019 fiscal year the city conducted an assessment “blitz,” proactively seeking out homeless people at shelters and hospitals.The 30 percent jump was by far the largest increase of the last eight years, according to the city’s data. Rachael Kagan, the spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Public Health, says this is partly because in the 2019 fiscal year the city conducted an assessment “blitz,” proactively seeking out homeless people at shelters and hospitals.
For around 1,272 people, it was the first time they were entered into the city’s databases.For around 1,272 people, it was the first time they were entered into the city’s databases.
There is no perfect way to measure homelessness, which by nature is transient. Ms. Kagan believes the higher numbers are the “most complete picture that we have” of homelessness. But she says it is still likely to be an underestimate.There is no perfect way to measure homelessness, which by nature is transient. Ms. Kagan believes the higher numbers are the “most complete picture that we have” of homelessness. But she says it is still likely to be an underestimate.
“It does not include people who did not seek services, so it is still an incomplete picture,” she said.“It does not include people who did not seek services, so it is still an incomplete picture,” she said.
[Read more of Thomas’s work here.][Read more of Thomas’s work here.]
We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.
More details emerged about the horrific mass shooting in Fresno: The authorities said at least two people opened fire at a family gathering, killing four men, identified as Xy Lee, 23; Phia Vang, 31; Kou Xiong, 38; and Kalaxang Thao, 40. Fresno’s police chief said it wasn’t a random act. [The New York Times]More details emerged about the horrific mass shooting in Fresno: The authorities said at least two people opened fire at a family gathering, killing four men, identified as Xy Lee, 23; Phia Vang, 31; Kou Xiong, 38; and Kalaxang Thao, 40. Fresno’s police chief said it wasn’t a random act. [The New York Times]
Mr. Lee was a popular singer, and the other three who were killed were well-known in a tight-knit Hmong community, which was in mourning on Monday: “These are people who are near and dear to us.” [The Fresno Bee]Mr. Lee was a popular singer, and the other three who were killed were well-known in a tight-knit Hmong community, which was in mourning on Monday: “These are people who are near and dear to us.” [The Fresno Bee]
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against five people arrested in connection with a Halloween party shooting in Orinda that left five dead. Law enforcement sources have described the incident as a shootout. [The East Bay Times]The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against five people arrested in connection with a Halloween party shooting in Orinda that left five dead. Law enforcement sources have described the incident as a shootout. [The East Bay Times]
Even as much of Southern California prepared for the first winter storm of the season, dry conditions and high winds prompted Pacific Gas & Electric to warn of another round of public safety power shut-offs, which could start early on Wednesday. [KQED]Even as much of Southern California prepared for the first winter storm of the season, dry conditions and high winds prompted Pacific Gas & Electric to warn of another round of public safety power shut-offs, which could start early on Wednesday. [KQED]
California doesn’t have a statewide standard for emergency alerts and evacuations, which has resulted in a patchwork of systems that have left residents and businesses in the dark. [CalMatters]California doesn’t have a statewide standard for emergency alerts and evacuations, which has resulted in a patchwork of systems that have left residents and businesses in the dark. [CalMatters]
In California and Nevada, Democratic presidential candidates asked, “Iowa who?” [The New York Times]In California and Nevada, Democratic presidential candidates asked, “Iowa who?” [The New York Times]
Also: Here’s what to know about the candidates’ swing through Southern California over the weekend. [The New York Times]Also: Here’s what to know about the candidates’ swing through Southern California over the weekend. [The New York Times]
After President Trump pulled back from proposed rules meant to curb teenage vaping, California sued Juul, the nation’s biggest e-cigarette maker. [The Associated Press]After President Trump pulled back from proposed rules meant to curb teenage vaping, California sued Juul, the nation’s biggest e-cigarette maker. [The Associated Press]
As the Trump administration pushes to expand oil extraction in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has ostensibly made efforts to limit the practice. So why are drilling and fracking permits up? [CityLab]As the Trump administration pushes to expand oil extraction in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has ostensibly made efforts to limit the practice. So why are drilling and fracking permits up? [CityLab]
A new, first-in-the-nation law will make it easier for Californians to access H.I.V. prevention drugs. But some say more can and should be done to eliminate barriers to access lifesaving medications. [California Healthline]A new, first-in-the-nation law will make it easier for Californians to access H.I.V. prevention drugs. But some say more can and should be done to eliminate barriers to access lifesaving medications. [California Healthline]
Antitrust-related rules have governed movie distribution since the early days of Hollywood. Now, the Justice Department might abolish them. [The New York Times]Antitrust-related rules have governed movie distribution since the early days of Hollywood. Now, the Justice Department might abolish them. [The New York Times]
You think the streaming era has arrived? “The truth is that it is only getting started.” [The New York Times]You think the streaming era has arrived? “The truth is that it is only getting started.” [The New York Times]
Gizmo, a red panda cub, is now on display at the Sacramento Zoo. He is, as you might expect, adorable. [The Sacramento Bee]Gizmo, a red panda cub, is now on display at the Sacramento Zoo. He is, as you might expect, adorable. [The Sacramento Bee]
My colleague Nellie Bowles is a sixth-generation San Franciscan. She wrote that she’s been feeling down about her hometown as inequality and raging debates about the influence of tech divide it.My colleague Nellie Bowles is a sixth-generation San Franciscan. She wrote that she’s been feeling down about her hometown as inequality and raging debates about the influence of tech divide it.
She walked the new 17-mile trail that cuts across town, along with the guy who helped create it, to see if it would change her perspective — make her see the city’s neighborhoods anew. It did. Read about it here.She walked the new 17-mile trail that cuts across town, along with the guy who helped create it, to see if it would change her perspective — make her see the city’s neighborhoods anew. It did. Read about it here.
California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here.California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here.
Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter, @jillcowan.Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter, @jillcowan.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.