Author: Laura Sandoval (Laura Sandoval)

Sandoval: Homelessness is a policy choice

When we see our neighbors living unsheltered along our sidewalks or parks, it’s tempting to tell ourselves it was their own decisions that put them there. But overall, homelessness is not a personal choice. It’s a policy choice, made and solidified by decisions and indecision at every level over decades, that has led to San...

Sandoval: Outreach to our unhoused neighbors takes time, trust and tenacity

There are a lot of misconceptions about people experiencing homelessness. A pervasive one is that unhoused people don’t want help, shelter or housing. From mine and my team’s years of experience, we have found that to be patently false. Quite the opposite: PATH’s 2021 client feedback survey showed 87% of our unhoused participants actively want...

Sandoval: Homes end homelessness and it takes a village to build them

The underlying causes of homelessness are complex, but they can be narrowed down to structural inequities and, ultimately, the lack of housing. We see trends of homelessness increasing when the cost of housing increases. Despite a lot of progress being made in the homelessness and housing sectors, we are still seeing more people fall into...

Sandoval: Volunteering means so much more than giving time

Homelessness is the issue of our time and PATH has been focused on addressing the issues from all fronts. From public policy, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, we are working to address the systemic causes and bring more solutions to the communities we serve. And we couldn’t do this work alone. We...

Sandoval: Women providing healing and promoting hope

One of my earliest memories as a case manager was meeting a young woman who just experienced her first night of homelessness. Over the years that have passed, I no longer remember her face, the color of her hair, her frame, or even her age. But I remember her shoes. They were threadbare, the soles...

Sandoval: Let’s make homelessness history in the Black community

Across California, PATH employees of all backgrounds and identities are working to end homelessness. This month, to honor Black History Month, PATH is elevating the voices and experiences of PATH staff members and highlighting the disparities that exist in the Black community when it comes to homelessness and housing affordability. From sharing resources, to supporting...

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