My name is just one amongst the population of homeless people living in their vehicles in San Francisco's Bayview area. Every day presents a myriad of challenges, but finding an accessible place to relieve oneself or take a shower shouldn't be one of them. Unfortunately, since the removal of the portable toilets on Bancroft and Jennings and on Ingles and Yosemite, this basic human necessity has turned into a colossal struggle for many. The situation has worsened for those of us with mobility issues, who are often unable to travel to Third Street, Mother Brown's, or the local park. The distress and discomfort it causes is immeasurable.

According to data from the San Francisco Homeless Count & Survey, as of 2019, over 8,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in San Francisco. It is estimated that about 13% of these individuals are living in their vehicles—akin to my circumstance. More alarming, however, is that almost half of survey participants report having at least one type of disability or chronic health condition.

It is a shame, in a city as wealthy as ours, that access to such fundamental amenities is not readily provided for the city’s most marginalized inhabitants. Going ahead with the proposed reintroduction of portable toilets and the establishment of portable showers in Bayview would go a long way in preserving the dignity of those trying to survive circumstances already marred by hardship.

This is an urgent call for our city leaders to reintroduce portable toilets and add portable showers in Bayview. This measure is elemental to meeting basic human rights, promoting health & safety, and acknowledging the dignity of homeless people living on our streets. Please sign this petition to support our plea for the dignity and well-being of every San Franciscan.