Angelika Tourists in San Francisco often notice that there are a lot of homeless people in this city. There are various reasons for this. First of all, rents are very high and housing is scarce. The relatively mild climate and a reasonable range of social programs for the homeless also attract many. Most homeless people are completely harmless. Of course, they ask for money, but if you kindly say "sorry," the matter is usually settled.
Around the town hall and in the city center, the cityscape is particularly characterized by homeless people. The adjacent Tenderloin district offers many low-cost accommodations, and charitable as well as church organizations provide food or medical care for the homeless. Right next to the town hall is also the main branch of the public library. Many homeless people now know that it not only offers public restrooms but also chairs for resting, access to computers and the internet, and magazines to read. In a way, it's an ideal substitute home for those without a permanent residence.
Employees at the main library, however, felt somewhat overwhelmed by the task of attending to the large number of homeless individuals, as many struggle with alcoholism, drug addiction, or mental health issues. Library visitors had also complained when homeless individuals washed themselves at the sinks in the restrooms or used drugs. Instead of simply turning the homeless away, the city decided on a more creative solution. A year ago, the main library hired a social worker who exclusively takes care of the homeless. This includes informing them about social programs and shelters, and guiding the library staff on how to handle undesirable behaviors. Homeless individuals who are willing to undergo a 12-week job reintegration program have the opportunity to be employed by the library, for example, to monitor the restrooms. Only in San Francisco.