The rising number of homeless citizens is just one of the many harrowing results of San Francisco's residential real estate crisis. As the city begins its festivities for the Super Bowl 50, this problem is being driven straight to the forefront.
In August 2015, Mayor Ed Lee issued a statement that the homeless population in the city would "have to leave the streets" during the Super Bowl's week-long events, happening from Jan. 30 to Feb. 7. As a result, many were forced to be relocated in nearby neighborhoods, away from the media.
"They're herding us like cattle," Oscar McKinney, a 49-year-old hearse driver, told Alternet.
According to Memphis Business Journal, rows and rows of homeless encampments have flocked in front of small businesses along the Mission and SoMa districts.
"I have never seen it so bad, and I've been here 25 years," Michele Simons, a local business owner on the 13th street, complained. "My coworker counted 100 tents the other day just around here," added Simons. "We have to keep the gate locked at all times now."
As the mile-long street of local stores is getting filled with tents and makeshift shelters, residents have been complaining of ill effects. Among these are terrible traffic, accumulated human waste, and even fires. Sadly, the mayor's office has reportedly ignored their pleas.
Resident Sean Buckley narrated, "I've called repeatedly to have this area cleaned up to no avail and I am pleading with you to help us. My ability to make a living here seems to be on the line more and more."
As big companies flash their ostentatious marketing display for the Super Bowl, the poor are, sadly, pushed out. In the shadow of San Francisco's growing housing crisis, many are asking whether this problem is another issue of culture wars.
