San Francisco spends $646 million a year trying to address homelessness with less than desirable results. Yet a small nonprofit that gives free legal services to poor people claims it can reduce homelessness by 40 percent in four years — for only $4 million. Sound too good to be true?
Read MoreWhen a tent appeared on Sunset Boulevard, many residents demanded it be removed immediately. They worried one tent would turn into 10 or even 100, like they see downtown. But there’s a court injunction against removing tents in San Francisco. How did that happen and what are doing about the ruling?
Read MoreIntern Voice features student interns in Supervisor Joel Engardio’s office who researched issues and wrote OpEds for their final project.
Read MoreBy Joel P. Engardio -- David Traylor attacked a tourist in a crack-fueled schizophrenic episode. But he isn't psychotic, in jail or dead today thanks to San Francisco's Behavioral Health Court. He is medicated, has a home and a job. Yet homeless and mentally ill people who haven't committed felonies are left to suffer as they scream at commuters and use the sidewalk as a toilet. Why don't we treat people who can't take care of themselves before they become violent?
Read MoreBy Joel P. Engardio -- Legislative aide Gary McCoy proved that the human spirit can survive some very dark places when there is a path to realize its full potential. Yet McCoy also proves that simply throwing money at social services is not what saved him.
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