Laid Off? Fancy a Job at the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing?

The irony is not lost on us - the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (DHSH) need staff, fast. During this pandemic and with people being laid off left, right and center, you'd assume that any job would be needle-in-the-haystack scarce. But according to the San Francisco Chronicle (link above), a new city report states that the DHSH is absolutely understaffed and completely unprepared to handle the expanse of homeless numbers rising in San Francisco.

One thing to point out though is that the city and state have extended the 'tenants won't be evicted' deadline to early 2021, if the tenants are unable to pay rent due to being laid off. So why the DHSH are having kittens over so many potential homeless, when residents aren't going to be the cause of poverty rising due to this city/state support, is slightly lost on us. 

Maybe they're pre-empting that come January and when the city/state tenant support stops, the poverty numbers will increase. But if we're still in the Covid-19 midst, then the city/state will yet again extend their support to residents unable to pay rent. 

In the meantime, there are a few factors to take into account. The PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) and Stimulus check (remember the $1200 you received months ago?) may be back on the cards. That'll help the struggling residents for only a short while but at least it's a minor start. But if you'd like inspiration of either the impression of a growing economy or maybe a bonafide economy boosting, just head down to Cow Hollow or the Marina district. Alfresco seating booths are in abundance, taking up entire blocks, and night after night the tables are full of diners. 

Yet if you're not one of those servers, not one of those restaurant owners or not one of the diners, because you're absolutely strapped for cash, then contact the DHSH for open job positions. The Budget & Legislative Analyst's Office has confirmed a near 26% staff vacancy rate. They also have a high turnover rate, so that dream job you want, might be available sooner than you think. They DHSH also has $26.5m left unspent of which could have been injected into helping the homeless with food, supplies, temporary SRO housing etc.

Either way, there are sometimes blessings in disguises that come along our life paths. This might just be one of those. A job, stability, income, a roof over your head and the ability to climb through the career Jungle Jim towards greater prosperity...while paying forward and helping those who currently sleep in tents on the street.

Please share this because if you're not on the job prowl, then someone you know may be and they might desperately be in need of a break in life. Let us all give it to them.