San Francisco supervisors are all shook up! They just learned that they are spending about $61,000 per year to put a tent over a homeless person’s head, and they are not going to be reimbursed by the federal government (FEMA) for their foolish experiment because the tent encampments are considered group shelters. …Also, it must be remembered that in addition to this tent program, the city is conducting its homeless hotel program, which is currently sheltering over 2,000 more homeless people in hotels and motels throughout the city. That program is costing about $21 million a month and is eligible for federal funding from FEMA. Apparently that program is viewed as successful by its originators, as they don’t mind spending other people’s money (FEMA’s) as much as they do local resources. …I have made an effort to listen to many of the residents of these encampments, and their opinions are indeed varied. Many view them as a home away from home, a place to hang out without any responsibilities or personal investment, and thus with little or no incentive to better their lot. I do not think the concept of these villages being temporary in nature has been made clear to some of the inhabitants I have talked with.
