Homelessness
Ending homelessness in the Riverbed
We consider homelessness an intersectional issue with environmental stewardship. Working toward a trash-free river is an obvious element of The San Diego River Park Foundation’s mission. The leap to actively engaging with ending homelessness in the riverbed is the next logical step.
Trash, homelessness, and river health
We work in the many different urban riparian areas, tributaries, and canyons that make up the unique ecological topography of the San Diego River. Each year, an estimated 1 million pounds of trash will enter these sensitive habitats, carrying with it the less visible but still harmful bacteria and other toxic compounds. Despite the robust trash removal efforts by SDRPF volunteers, other NGOs, landowners, and municipalities, new trash enters the river as fast as it can be removed.
In 2016, the River Assessment Field Team (RAFT) was created, empowering staff, volunteers, and interns to conduct surveys of the river to better understand the trash in the riverbed. The information collected not only informs clean-up strategies, but has enabled us to pursue data-informed solutions to the root causes of this trash.
Through RAFT, we have learned that over 65% of the trash mapped is related to people living in areas not for human habitation, without access to sanitation or proper trash disposal, and with only makeshift shelter from the elements.
A social and environmental challenge
People living in the riverbed may be less visible to their surrounding community, but they are also harder to reach by service providers, medical crews, and emergency responders, further from existing homeless resource infrastructure, and at higher vulnerability to environmental hazards like fires and floods.
Not only is this a critical social issue, but these sensitive environments cannot bear the burden. The San Diego River’s important ecosystem functions are negatively impacted when we fail to provide adequate options for people experiencing homelessness and fail to protect our river.
We believe that ending homelessness in the riverbed is possible. Compassionate solutions for people can also result in positive environmental outcomes.
How we are contributing to a solution
Data and boots on the ground allow us to give the river a voice, and make those living in the riverbed less invisible. This work includes:
- Twice weekly RAFT survey events to document encampments in the riverbed, make face-to-face connections with people experiencing homelessness and distribute care kits
- Using the rapport built through these interactions to make referrals and share knowledge with service providers
- Using our knowledge of the river to help train outreach workers, street medicine providers, and housing navigators to get to people in need
- Mobilizing volunteers and partners to do notifications at low-lying camps before potentially life-threatening flooding events
- Tracking trends over time to better understand what influences the population of people living in the riverbed
Statement of values about people experiencing homelessness
- We treat all people with respect and compassion.
- We take a non-confrontational approach.
- We use people-centered language. This emphasizes the individual, prioritizing their personhood over their condition, such as: person experiencing homelessness, person experiencing a substance use disorder. “Unhoused” and “unsheltered” are also acceptable terms. We avoid language that implies a personal or moral failing.
Position on people living in the riverbed
- The riverbed is not an appropriate place for people to live, for their own safety and the protection of sensitive habitats.
- But we also believe that people must have a place to go to leave the river, and we believe in advocating for and supporting investment in long-term, people-focused solutions.