Homelessness

Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country.

Eyes welled with tears as people lit candles and spoke the names of Santa Clara County homeless residents who died this year at a Friday memorial — a reminder of the harsh reality of living on the streets and the urgency to get more people housed.

Experts say family homelessness is an invisible problem in San Francisco. One organization, Children of Shelters, is giving back in small and big ways to help break the cycle of homelessness in the city. Ginger Conejero Saab reports.

Catholic Charities San Francisco CEO Ellen Hammerle says a $5 million gift from the Bezos Day One Fund will allow them to enhance their family shelter system, increase outreach and service hours, and provide greater case management.

Bay Area nonprofit Turntable is trying to help young people stuck on the streets by providing them with one-stop shopping help for housing, therapy and support in finding a job.

Bay Area nonprofit Turntable is trying to help young people stuck on the streets by providing them with one-stop shopping help for housing, therapy and support in finding a job. Bob Redell reports.

Homelessness is at the top of the agenda for candidates in mayoral races across the U.S. West. But they differ on whether it’s OK to clear encampments that have spread as the crisis has deepened and how much to rely on temporary housing.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday had a message for local governments: clean up homeless encampments now or lose out on state funding next year. San Jose’s mayor is pushing back. Kris Sanchez reports.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday had a message for local governments: clean up homeless encampments now or lose out on state funding next year.

An executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom directs state agencies “to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them.” Gia Vang reports.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday instructing local agencies across the state to urgently remove homeless encampments. Velena Jones reports.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday to direct state agencies on how to remove homeless encampments, a month after a Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to enforce bans on sleeping outside in public spaces.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to start removing homeless encampments on state land Thursday.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that cities can enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outdoors, and the decision is welcomed by San Francisco city leaders who have decried the restrictions placed on them regarding encampments. Scott McGrew reports.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that cities can enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outdoors, and the decision is welcomed by San Francisco city leaders while some homeless advocates called it “shameful.”

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that city laws which punish homeless people who sleep outside are constitutional and do not violate the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

A nonprofit says despite everything being done to address the homeless crisis in the Bay Area, they haven’t solved the problem.

A nonprofit says despite everything being done to address the homeless crisis in the Bay Area, they haven’t solved the problem. Ian Cull reports.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan on Monday hosted a walk-along at the Guadalupe River Trail and spoke to the importance of cleaning up the homeless encampments there amid controversy surrounding how affordable housing dollars will be spent.

In downtown Atlanta, shipping containers have been transformed into an oasis for dozens of previously unsheltered people who now proudly call a former parking lot home. It’s just one example of micro communities that have been popping up across the U.S. In Denver, 1,500 people have been moved indoors through that city’s own micro community program.