SAN FRANCISCO In early 2025, the City of San Francisco plans to close its only secure parking lot for homeless individuals living in their cars.
Since its January 2022 opening, the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center has encountered a number of expensive issues.
Numerous residents of that area will now need to relocate, and many are unsure about their future plans.
Charles Rawls remarked, “I have no clue,” after residing in the parking lot for approximately a year. “I’ve been considering it. The street scenario, where you go from street to street every night, is not something I want to do. It’s insane. You don’t sleep.”
Rawls intended to stay there for a short while, until he could have his car fixed, but that hasn’t happened yet.
He claims that others have also been refused repairs.
“They haven’t fixed anyone’s vehicle who is in there,” Rawls stated. “Triage is the intended method. After bringing our cars in here to be fixed, we’re expected to be left on our own. However, it continues to deteriorate. The rats then enter them.
It has been a difficult experience, he admits.
“When I first got here we didn’t have nothing,” Rawls replied. “It was insane. They say you’re leaving in February, even though they invested a lot of money on it. It’s insane.
“Horrible,” Aaron Wilson remarked, summarizing his experience since March of last year. “Day after day. A torturous thing. similar to a prison camp. extremely unjustly treated. And since we informed the authorities, we are the bad guys.
According to a 2023 budget analyst assessment, each car at the location costs over $140,000 annually.
Even so, over three years after launching, city officials only succeeded in connecting dependable power in October.
After that, new light poles were put in, however they stopped functioning after only a few weeks. Wilson thinks it’s because of the storms’ intense shaking. The lights are still broken.
Many residents of the facility, according to Wilson, believe the city is closing the location in part because they have voiced their dissatisfaction with the absence of basic amenities like ADA-compliant restrooms and other facilities.
“They like to retaliate if you tell on them,” Wilson stated. “You will pay for being the lowest common denominator if you are a snitch.
The grounds, which are under constant surveillance, were off-limits to CBS Bay Area.
Wilson thinks the majority of the residents are merely attempting to act morally.
His words, “We’re the good homeless people,” Here we are in the shelter as we should be. We aren’t out there causing trouble or urinating in public.”
If Wilson is compelled to leave, he has no preparations for what he will do.
Although residents anticipate having to leave the property by the middle of February, he is still hopeful that they will be given more time.
“What I think would be a good thing would be a lawyer to step forward to give us a stay of execution on this because we’re talking 60-70 days here that we all have to be gone,” Wilson stated. “it’s just not enough time.”
About thirty cars are present at the location.
According to the city, case managers will assist individuals in getting their cars fixed or moving into shelters or permanent housing. However, Rawls doesn’t believe he would accept it.
Rawls stated, “I’ve seen their housing and no I wouldn’t,” in reference to the possibility of relocating to permanent housing or a shelter.
Many locals claim that the city’s decision to close the facility has left them in disbelief and that they are still holding out hope that they will have a safe place to go.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.