San Francisco's homeless deal with rainy weather, many without shelter

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Rain started falling Thursday evening and lines of cars and commuters passed the corner of Bryant and Fifth Streets, where another line stretched around the corner.

People waited outside the St. Vincent de Paul building, huddled under the overhang, hoping for a dry, safe, spot inside the emergency shelter. It is the only option left for those who don't have a shelter bed voucher at one of the other shelter programs.

"This gentleman tells me it's three and a half hours to get in or it can be and you still might not get a bed," said Marino Domino, who was waiting in the line talking to others, "There's not a comprehensive effort, you know."

Earlier in the day, at Treat Avenue, people were preparing to weather the storms outside, putting tarps over tents. Some say they can't or don't want to go into one of the shelter programs.

"There's a waiting list. right and I'm with my boyfriend for 7 years and they don't have anyplace where they can house you together and I have my dog too," said Sarah Walsh, of San Francisco.

San Francisco's newly formed Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing launched in August. A spokesman said they plan to expand the number of shelter beds from 1,600 to 1,800 this winter.In collaboration with San Francisco's Interfaith Council. That starts November 20th, though, too late for this October storm.

One man said he just got out of the hospital after surgery and can't work, so he has no home. He says he's pitching a tent and joining the others.

"They're desperate and looking for ways to feed themsleves and ways to house themselves," said

He says he wants to go back to work, but it's hard without a home.

"The overwhelming majority of people that are out here are mentally ill or physically ill and it's preventing them from working and it's a catch-22," he said.

Pier 80 was used as an El Nino emergency shelter last year but is not available this year because it was leased in August to an auto importer.

There is a measure on the November ballot, Proposition J, which seeks to increase funding to help homeless people in the city.