who reads these signs anyways
sarah samynathan - la 461
the c
count
7,499 total
jan. 26th
DATE of count
69% SF County
21% other in ca
10% out of state
92% individuals
8% families
56%
say that their biggest obstacle to obtaining housing is being unable to afford rent.
homelessness at-a-glance
January 26, 2017 Every 2 years, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) conducts a “blitz count” of the homeless in San Francisco. It is conducted in one night (8p-12a) and covers all 47 sq. miles of San Francisco. The shelter count is conducted on the same evening and includes all individuals in shelters, transitional housing, and institutions (jails, hospitals, and treatment facilities).
district 6: 3,680 South of Market (SOMA), Tenderloin 49% of homeless in District 6 alone
district 10: 1,275 Bayview Hunter’s Point, Potrero, Visitation Valley 17% of homeless
3
2 5
1
6
8
4
9
7 11
10
age data
total population: age Under 18 years (13.4%) 18 - 34 years (30.4%) 35 - 64 years (42%) 65 years + over (14.3%)
13.4% < 18 14.3% 65+
general population: age
42% 35-64
30.4% 18-34
2% < 18 8.8% 65+
homeless population: age
38.5% 18-34 50.7% 35-64
16% < 18
age at first experience
50% 25+
34% 18-24
While the age breakdown is fairly consistent between the San Francisco general population and the homeless count, the amount of homeless over the age of 65+ is significantly less, due to the fact that the average life expectancy for those experiencing homelessness is 25 years less than those in stable housing. Another surprising piece of data is that 16% of homeless individuals first experienced homelessness as a minor. However, as of this years count, they only make up 2% of the homeless population in San Francisco.
race data
race data: black and latino populations Hispanic or Latino (15%) Black or African American (6%)
homeless general
Black/African American homeless
general
Hispanic/Latino
gen. population vs. homeless
15% 22%
6% 34%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
When analyzing race data, I chose to explore the two ethnic groups that have the highest percentages of homelessness (Hispanic/Latino and African American) and compare their location and populations. I discovered that the two ethnic groups are found most in the Tenderloin, which is known to be the part of the city with the lowest SES (socioeconomic status). The most surprising data was how the percentage of African Americans in homelessness in San Francisco (34%) compared to African Americans making up only 6% of the general population.
income data
total population: income Households (less than $50,000) Households (less than $75,000)
When discussing income with the homeless, it is assumed that most homeless are unemployed. While that is true, there are still 13% of homeless that are employed. That number is due to how high rent is in San Francisco. A one-bedroom apartment in the city costs on average $3,257/ mo. With these high costs, even someone who is working a full time job may not be able to cover the cost of living, especially if they are assisting their family financially.
the is
ssues
10% out of state
previous living
21% other in CA
where are they from?
69% from SF County
Living arrangement immediately prior to experiencing homelessness: “33% of respondents reported that they were living in a home owned or rented by themselves or a partner immediately prior to becoming homeless”
8% from jails/prisons For those who were incarcerated, the highest chance of being homeless post-release would be indicated by SES. Those with lower SES are more likely to leave jail without anywhere to go and no way to reconnect with their social support systems that they had prior. Jails rarely had resources to help those going through release to prevent this situation. (Street Sheet)
3% from hospital/treatment facility Modern Healthcare has started an initiative to help house homeless through the healthcare system as, “housing is a critical social determinant of health, alongside others such as availability of healthy food and safe neighborhoods. Homelessness leads to worsening of medical conditions, increased risks of injury and, ultimately, early death.”
duration + recurrence
12% 7-11 mo. 22% 1-6 months
length of current episode of homelessness
59% 1 year+
8% 30 days or fewer
75% of homeless (2017) reported that they had experienced homelessness previously.
48% of respondents stated that they had been homeless 4+ times in the past 3 years.
causes of homelessness
10% divorce/ breakup
13% argument/ asked to leave 12% eviction
15% alcohol/drug use
22% lost job
56% canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford rent
33% no income 25% no housing available 16% no money for moving costs
18% housing process is complex
obstacles to obtain housing
social issues
1 in 5 former foster youth experience homelessness within 4 years of exiting the foster care system. 40% of those in families have experienced domestic violence + 30% of them reported it was the primary cause of their homelessness. Only 1% of the San Francisco homeless population are veterans.
88% of transgender respondents had reported previous experiences of domestic violence.
37% of female respondents had reported previous experiences of domestic violence.
30% of respondents identified as LGBTQ compared to 14% in the general SF population.
health conditions
53% of respondents reported that their condition limited their daily functioning This includes their ability to care for themselves, their relationships, hold and keep jobs, etc.
52% of respondents reported experiencing a food shortage within the past four weeks Even for those not experiencing a food shortage, the food that they usually end up eating is not nutritious. Food shortages can cause â&#x20AC;&#x153;increased prevalence of chronic health conditions, and preventing those that are already ill from improving health outcomesâ&#x20AC;?.
health conditions AIDS/HIV Related Traumatic Brain Injury Physical Disability
11% 12% 23%
PTSD Chronic Health Problems Psychiatric or Emotional Conditions Drug or Alcohol Use
29% 31% 39% 41%
the pr
roject
introduction
Homelessness in San Francisco has reached a point of no return. With approximately 7,500 individuals living on the streets, something has to change. But while living there and continuing research, I realized that no matter how much money or resources that were being poured in, a majority of inhabitants very much despise the homeless population, seeing them as dirty, disruptive, or undesirable. Once this clicked for me, I realized this was the root of the problem and that this ultimately needed to be the point of change. I worked in the Financial District of SF, the district that a majority of inhabitants commute into, and noticed the largest interaction, or rather the lack thereof, between San Francisco residents and homeless on Market St. I knew that my project had to show the realities of homelessness in contrast with the life that residents are used to; turning a blind eye to the issue as they grab their coffee and pastry and walk to work without even glancing to the homeless in fear that it would make them uncomfortable. Today as designers we focus on the comfort of those that are desirable and act as if the â&#x20AC;&#x153;undesirablesâ&#x20AC;? will just disappear or head somewhere else. However, they are just as much our audience and clients as the wealthy San Francisco resident. The San Francisco landscape and culture is just as much theirs as anyone else. Therefore I am switching the narrative by making my client the homeless population and my intended audience the residents and businesspeople of the city. The site itself is a 1.5 mile stretch of Market St. from the Civic Center/UN Plaza BART station to the Ferry Building. San Franciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Civic Center Plaza has one of the highest concentrations of the homeless, as it is a government building. Powell St. BART is ranked as the #1 most dangerous BART station for violent crime and is constantly inhabited by homeless populations. This is a scenario of correlation, not causation that many fail to realize. The terrain itself slopes gradually from 46 ft. above sea level down to 0 as it hits the water. Overall, I hope to change the stigma towards the homeless. While you cannot win everyone over, I hope it gives a peek to the truth about homelessness while debunking myths about them. It is important to recognize the humans behind homelessness, as only then can true change begin.
mission + concept
the mission San Francisco has faced a growing homelessness epidemic over the last 50 years as a city and county. There is an increasing demand for a solution but little involvement from the community to help fix the problem. Market St. has the greatest opportunity to display the real experiences of the homeless while also incorporating it into the daily fabric of San Francisco. This project will combine experiential art, psychology, and humanity into an experience to display the real challenges and dangers of being homeless in San Francisco.
the concept
An attempt to bridge the societal gaps found in San Francisco between the residents and the most vulnerable group, the homeless. While sharing the same landscapes, they do not share the same experiences and I wish to highlight those differences in order to break the stigma held against them.
goals + objectives
1
Raise awareness to the various ways that people become homeless. 1. Create signage that debunks myths 2. Display imagery of families, homeless youth, veterans, and chronic homeless 3. Information on mental illness 4. Information on rent and cost-of-living in SF in comparison to income 5. Videos featuring interviews
2
Highlight the dangers, challenges, and emotions that come along with being homeless. 1. Explore spatial compression and relief to create areas of high stress 2. Utilize visuals to create feeling of danger, unease, and paranoia 3. Utilize light and dark to create areas that imitate feelings of isolation 4. Make visitors feel a â&#x20AC;&#x153;this could be youâ&#x20AC;? situation 5. Have interaction between populations through experiences
3
Enhance the Market St. landscape to be an area for exchange of experience of ideas. 1. Employ homeless individuals to help clean up Market St. (Downtown Streets Team) 2. Reorganize flow of traffic and other sources of transportation to minimize circulation conflicts 3. Create areas of public space where width of walkway permits 4. Unite the aesthetics by choosing particular colors, materials, and furnishings to mark this as a separate area 5. Enhance BART stations to be a welcoming entrance to Market St.
4
Emphasize importance of understanding mental illness within homeless community. 1. Use sensory exhibitions to display the hardships of living with mental illness 2. Humanize those that suffer through putting face and name to illness. 3. Display lack of resources in SF shelters
goals + objectives
5
Cultivate community spaces that provide comfort and promote equality and equity. 1. Develop pocket parks for relaxation and reflection 2. Provide furniture and design features that do not favor certain populations over others 3. Implement recycling centers for the homeless to benefit from financially
case st
tudies
lafayette sq
Oaklan
quare park
nd, CA
lafayette square park
e 3: (Bressi)
mound “Visual separation allows many different users to enjoy the park in separate spaces and to avoid others with whom they might conflict” -The Field ASLA
“They’re all coexisting, and it’s precisely because the designer did what Laurie [Olin] and I would not have done.’ - Randolph Hester
“A decade ago the park was beset by maintenance problems, unsanitary conditions and drug use; at one point police tried to forcibly evict its homeless users. Community and social service groups protested and persuaded the city to launch a redesign that involved park regulars, as well as businesses, public safety officials and social agencies. (Bressi)”
“Just because many of the people are homeless, it doesn’t have to feel like an encampment. This is why I do public spaces. Who else is thinking about those guys in this way? And they take good care of it!” - Walter Hood (designer)
Design Features for Coexistence: - smaller separate areas for variety of users - mounds to block sight of “undesirables” - multiple restrooms *one of the restrooms now has a barber shop inside for those in need of a haircut - not formally designed - shade/rain structures
pershing
Los Ange
g square
geles, CA
Figure 4: (Stephens)
pershing square before
after
Pershing Square is located in Downtown LA, just a few blocks away from Skid Row. Skid Row is a 43-block area where the nation’s largest population of homeless sleep and live on public property. The park has changed numerous times over the years but has developed a large population of homeless.
“Why can’t Americans just be honest with themselves and put the homeless in camps. Love thy neighbor, not.” - Online comment concerning Pershing Square When visiting Pershing Square, the thing that stands out the most is the shocking amount of homeless individuals that populate the space. The square has been uninviting due to the numerous amounts of homeless individuals and the smell of urine. Besides already being an aesthetically unappealing design, the homelessness present makes the space look even more poorly taken care of. Even with all the anti-homeless design features that the designers have purposefully implemented, the homeless have stayed. Pershing Square’s Anti-Homeless features: - individual seat arm rails - curved seat walls - no shade structures
peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
Berkele
’s park
ey, CA
Figure 6: (“People’s Park”)
people’s park
People’s Park is a unique place, it is located in Berkeley, CA and was created during the radical activism that took place in the late 1960s. While the site has plenty of history in terms of its protests in the 60s and its controversy today, it is mainly used as a sanctuary for the large homeless population rather than as a public park. It has public restrooms, but again is mostly utilized by the large homeless population (Tempest).
“They say, ‘Why do we have to build more housing in Berkeley? They can go live somewhere else.’ But I don’t think that’s going to address the problem of homelessness. We can’t build a wall and say, ‘Go live in Nevada’. We’re going to have to have a community approach.” - Tom White Part of the tension stems from the park’s proximity to the University of California, Berkeley. In fact, it sits just three blocks south of the edge of campus. The campus has continuously considered tearing the park out to create additional dorms and accommodations for students (Tempest).
“Founded in 1969, People’s Park in Berkeley, California is a gathering place for Community, History, Free Speech, Social Justice, Civil Rights, Gardens, Music, Education, Recreation, Ecology, Sports, and more.” - Quote from People’s Park Website In summer of 2016, a man was stabbed at People’s Park. Naturally, this raised the question of how safe the park is. This incident is not isolated, but rare. The solution that the city came to deal with the problem to prevent future occurrences, are change the design and maintenance of the property. The city has since cut down many trees and shrubs to increase visibility and safety in the park, especially in evenings (“People’s Park”).
“Once People’s Park is off limits, the homeless are going to go to [Telegraph] Avenue The University will then say the Avenue is a problem.” - Curtis Bray
the freed
Boston
dom trail
n, MA
the freedom trail
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5 mile long walk through historic Boston, Massachusetts with 16 sites that recount events that happened during the Revolutionary War Period. It uses paving designs and plaques in the ground to guide visitors through the city and tell an informative story about the sites that it leads visitors to.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;RBA designed a more permanent path. Brick and granite pavers mark the trail and bronze medallions label each site. Directional signs indicate upcoming attractions and walking distances, while map kiosks along the route provide historic interpretation and a contemporary map to the more than 3.2 million annual visitors.â&#x20AC;? - RBA Firm Website
the
site
site location My site consists of a 1.5 mile stretch from the Civic Center/ UN Plaza BART station to the Ferry Buidling down on the Embarcadero. The walk would take approximately 45 min to complete and runs down Market St., one of the streets that bisects the Financial District from the SoMa neighborhood.
Ferry Building
Union Square
Ba
AT&T Park
ge
id
r yB
Powell St. BART
5 15 25 35 Civic Center/UN Plaza BART
45
topography
Embar. BART
Montgomery St. BART
topography
zoning
shade + weather
58.3°/ 46.3° 64°/ 50.6° 71.6°/ 57° 62°/ 50°
Highest density of shade cover
site photos: civic center to powell
site photos: powell to montgomery
y
site photos: montgomery to embar
rcadero
site photos: embarcadero to ferry
building
user profiles
Chase, 22 Young Professional who just moved to San Francisco after college. Grew up in San Diego and is starting own life in the city. Age/Family Cycle: 22, Single (unmarried), no children Gender: Male Family Size: 1 Income: $74,000/yr Housing Type: Apartment in Presidio Heights; sharing room Occupation: Business consulting Education: College graduate Ethnicity: White/Caucasian View towards homeless: Negative Social Class: Upper Middle-Class Social Group Status: Influencer, aspirational models Social Network Role: Information broker? Personality Image: ?? Beliefs: Socially liberal, economically conservative. Attitudes: Worked hard to get here, looks down upon those who are â&#x20AC;&#x153;lazyâ&#x20AC;? Acceptance of Innovation: Early adopter Lifestyle Motivations: Status-oriented Lifestyle Traits: Young Digerati, Connected Bohemians Interests/Hobbies: Cooking, working out, Netflix/Hulu Media (read, watched, listened to): Apple News outlets
Patricia, 30 Grew up in Redwood City, moved to San Francisco with her husband to open a small business on Market St.
Age/Family Cycle: 30, married w/children Gender: Female Family Size: 3 Income: $70,000 Housing Type: Apartment in Glen Park Occupation: small business owner Education: College graduate Ethnicity: White/Caucasian View towards homeless: Negative; disruptive of business Social Class: Middle-class Social Group Status: Part of the crowd Social Network Role: Peripheral specialist? Personality Image: hard-working? Beliefs: socially and economically liberal Attitudes: conflicted between liberal attitudes and upset at disruptions Acceptance of Innovation: Early adopter Lifestyle Motivations: Status-oriented Lifestyle Traits: Young Digerati, Urban Elders Interests/Hobbies: family time, going to concerts Media (read, watched, listened to): CNN, online news sources, twitter
user profiles
Karen, 25 Graduated from college a few years ago and commutes into Powell St. BART from Rockridge. Loves living in East Bay but hates the commute. Age/Family Cycle: 25, single (unmarried w/no children) Gender: Female Family Size: 1 Income: $62,000 Housing Type: Renter; Shared house in Oakland/Berkeley Occupation: young professional at marketing firm Education: College graduate Ethnicity: White/Hispanic View towards homeless: Unbiased; agrees that disruptive at BART stations Social Class: Middle-class Social Group Status: Wanna-be, part of the crowd Social Network Role: Central connector Personality Image: hard-working? Economically smart Beliefs: socially and economically liberal Attitudes: -Acceptance of Innovation: Early adopter Lifestyle Motivations: Principle-oriented Lifestyle Traits: Young Digerati, Urban Elders Interests/Hobbies: Working out, going out with friends Media (read, watched, listened to): Facebook, Twitter, Apple News
Richard, 42 Grew up in Redwood City, moved to San Francisco with her husband to open a small business on Market St.
Age/Family Cycle: 40, married w/children Gender: Male Family Size: 4 Income: $140,000 Housing Type: Owner; Home in Pleasanton Occupation: Established professional Education: College graduate Ethnicity: White View towards homeless: Thinks they are disruptive to his routine Social Class: Lower-upper class Social Group Status: Part of the crowd, aspirational models Social Network Role: Central connector Personality Image: hard-working; economically smart, family man Beliefs: More middle of the road politically Attitudes: -Acceptance of Innovation: Late mainstream Lifestyle Motivations: Status-oriented Lifestyle Traits: Networked Neighbors, Winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Circle Interests/Hobbies: Family time, watching sports on TV Media (read, watched, listened to): News websites, cable news channels
design elements
Community
Circulation
Plaza space Reflection spaces Gathering/event Sunny spaces Shaded areas
Bike paths Walking paths BART access MUNI access
Engagement
Inclusive design
Public art Gathering/event Signage and Wayfinding Landscape areas Sunny spaces Shaded areas
Equal furnishing Recycling centers Non-defensive design
design + matrices
concept sketches
the de
esign
concept map
Gathering + Conversation The Ferry Building A place for gathering, events, and conversation. A place of appreciation for San Francisco and the future it has.
Reflection + Understanding Ecker Plaza A space to relax, reflect, and process. Flexible for personal use throughout all times of day and year. Open to all.
Education + Empathy Montgomery St. BART While most frequently used by commuters going to and from work, meant to educate and create empathy through installations.
Education + Empathy Yerba Buena Ln. Again, while used by commuters, the space will educate and create empathy through installations. Equal Furnishing + Reflection Powell St. BART Creates a space for ALL people to reflect, be educated on equal furnishing and the role design has on social injustices.
Optimism SF Civic Center A space that brings together art, self-care resources, community, and gathering in a spirit of optimism for the future of San Francisco.
Education
Reflection + G
Education
n + Empathy: Fear
Gathering
n + Empathy: Isolation
ferry building Legend: 1. Decking with seating 2. Pavers with stories 3. Flexible gathering spaces 4. Ferry Building 5. Embarcadero BART 6. Recycling center(s) 3. 1.
2.
4. 6.
6. 1.
3.
3.
Legend: 1. Decking with seating 2. Water feature 3. Flexible gathering spaces 4. Ferry Building 5. Embarcadero BART 6. Recycling center(s)
circulation for tourism
1.
gathering space
4. 2.
6.
recycling
6.
conversation 1.
3.
ecker plaza
Legend: 1. Decking with seating 2.Water feature (under glass) 3. Planters
3.
1. 2.
1.
Legend: 1. Grassy mound 2.Water feature 3. Planters 4. Variety of seating
water
4.
3.
2.
variety of seating
reflection + relaxation
nature
montgomery st. BART`
3.
4. 1.
2.
Legend: 1. Educational installation (Fear) 2. Edu. installation (Isolation) 3. Mont. St. BART 4. Recycling
3.
recycling 4.
educational installations
1.
seating + furnishing
2. Legend: 1. Educational installation (Bipolar Disorder) 2. Edu. installation (Isolation) 3. Mont. St. BART 4. Recycling
BART circulation
yerba buena ln.
2
3
1. 2.
3. Legend: 1. Educational installation (Bipolar Disorder) 2. Variety of seating 3. Ped. corridor
2.
educational installation
1.
3. 4.
Legend: 1. Educational installation (Fear) 2. Edu. installation (Isolation #2) 3. Variety of seating 4. Ped. corridor
equal furnishing
circulation through
powell st. BART
2. 1.
3.
4.
Legend: 1. Grassy mound 2. Flexible event space 3. Deck with seating 4. Garden space 5. Powell St. BART
2.
3.
equal access
1.
mound
4.
reflection + relaxation BART
3.
community space Legend: 1. Grassy mound 2. Flexible event space 3. Deck with seating 4. Garden space 5. Powell St. BART
garden
sf civic center
2.
7.
3. 5.
3.
3.
7.
5.
6.
4.
6.
5.
1.
4. Legend: 1. Grassy mound 2. Flexible event space 3. Self-care resources 4. Community space 5. Art (to be brought in) 6. Central Axis 7. UN Building
self-care resources 1.
8. 5.
2.
2. circulatory paths
. 3.
community + conversation
Legend: 1. Grassy mound 2. Decks w/seating 3. Self-care resources 4. Community space 5. Art (to be brought in) 6. Central Axis 7. Reflective space 8. UN Building
event space
garden spaces
27
bibliography
Works Cited Allday, Erin. “The Streets’ Sickest, Costliest: The Mentally Ill.” San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco Chronicle, 29 June 2016. Web. - Statistics on the topic of homelessness in San Francisco specifically Andre, Claire, and Manuel Velasquez. “The Just World Theory.” Ethical Decision Making. Santa Clara University, 13 Nov. 2015. Web. 06 June 2017. - Research and definitions on just-world theory Batson, C. Daniel. Altruism in Humans. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2011. Print. - Research on altruism-empathy theory Bercovici, Jeff. “Can A GoPro Help Build Empathy for S.F.’s ‘Extreme’ Homeless?” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 14 Apr. 2014. Web. - Professional Contact for Homeless GoPro and Miracle Messages Bishop, Deborah. “The People’s Park.” Dwell. Dwell Magazine, 28 Feb. 2009. Web. - Research on Lafayette Square Park, Oakland, CA Bressi, Todd W., and Ilaria Salvadori. “Lafayette Square [EDRA / Places Awards -- Design].” Places 14.1 (2001): 10-13. EScholarship. Web. - Research on Lafayette Square Park, Oakland, CA “Design Resources for Homelessness.” Design Resources for Homelessness. N.p., 2016. Web. - Website that discusses how design can help change homelessness issue Duane, Daniel. “The Tent Cities of San Francisco.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 17 Dec. 2016. Web. - Research on topic of homelessness in San Francisco “Fair Landscapes for All Americans.” The Field ASLA. ASLA, 23 July 2015. Web. - Research on Lafayette Square Park, Oakland, CA Fast Company Staff. “Landscape Architect Walter Hood Aims to Build Community- Inclusive Spaces.” Fast Company. Fast Company Magazine, 10 Oct. 2010. Web. - Research on Lafayette Square Park, Oakland, CA Hill, Kashmir. “Why Does San Francisco See to Have Such a Huge Homeless Problem?” Fusion. Fusion, 18 Feb. 2016. Web. - Statistics on homelessness in San Francisco “Homelessness 101.” Homeless Hub. Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2017. Web. - Database with many links and useful information on homelessness
28
“Just-World Hypothesis.” Psychology IResearch. N.p., n.d. Web. - Research on just-world theory Knight, Heather. “What San Franciscans Know about Homeless Isn’t Necessarily True.” SF Gate. SF Gate, 29 June 2016. Web. - Research on homelessness in San Francisco Mitchell, Don. “The End of Public Space? People’s Park, Definitions of the Public, and Democracy.” Annals of the Association of American Geographers 85.1 (1995): 108-33. JSTOR. Web. - Journal discussing People’s Park, Berkeley, CA “People’s Park.” People’s Park Official Website. N.p., n.d. Web. - The goals of People’s Park through the eyes of the people who protect it Pesky, Nathan. “Poverty and the “Just World Hypothesis”.” Pando. N.p., 13 Feb. 2014. Web. - Research on just-world hypothesis Phelan, Jo, Bruce G. Link, Robert E. Moore, and Ann Stueve. “The Stigma of Homelessness: The Impact of the Label “Homeless” on Attitudes Toward Poor Persons.” Social Psychology Quarterly 60.4 (1997): 323-37. JSTOR. Web. - Journal on stigma of homelessness and poverty “6686 Civic Disgrace.” San Francisco Chronicle: Beyond Homelessness. San Francisco Chronicle, 3 July 2016. Web. - Research and statistics on homelessness in San Francisco Stephens, Josh. “Los Angeles Seeks to Revive “Worst Public Space in America”.” Next City. N.p., 10 Dec. 2015. Web. - Research and opinions on Pershing Square, Los Angeles, CA Tempest, Rone. “It’s Still a Battlefield.” The Los Angeles Times. The Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2006. Web. - Opinions on People’s Park, Berkeley, CA Waters, Rob. “Berkeley’s Liberal Image in Question amid Homeless Crisis: ‘The Soul of Our City Is at Stake’.” The Guardian. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 15 Mar. 2017. Web. - Homelessness in Berkeley, “Hilton for the Homeless” argument