Homelessness in the Bay Area
Explore our latest feature on Stephanie Baughman, a transgender resident of San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, whose journey provides a glimpse into the harsh realities of homelessness in the region. After years of navigating housing instability, Stephanie found support and a sense of community through City Hope SF, an organization committed to providing dignity and connection to those in need. Her story highlights the compounded challenges faced by transgender people experiencing homelessness, only 19 percent of whom are sheltered in San Francisco. Combined with data from our experiencing homelessness indicator, this feature underscores the urgent need for equitable housing solutions and showcases the resilience of communities that have often been overlooked.
Explore More of Our Feature Stories
We’re proud to showcase our signature “In Their Own Words…” series — a data-driven storytelling project that provides a unique lens for exploring the complex, real-world issues shaping the Bay Area. Through this project, we amplify the lived experiences of residents navigating challenges like unaffordable housing and economic insecurity. By weaving together personal narratives with Atlas data, we provide more in-depth insights into the struggles many people across the region face. These stories highlight the diversity, resilience, and ingenuity of local communities while offering a call to action for regional transformation.
Unpacking the Bay Area’s Affordable Housing Crisis
The Bay Area’s housing crisis, a decades-long issue, has worsened within the last two decades. This decline has been driven by a chronic shortage of affordable homes. Our latest analysis takes a deeper look at the ongoing housing challenges across the nine-county region. The findings reveal that population growth has consistently outpaced housing development, contributing to overcrowded households and declining vacancy rates. The shortfall in affordable housing has been further exacerbated by a focus on market-rate and luxury developments, which have overshadowed the urgent need for affordable options. Addressing this gap will require bold action and a shift in priorities to create housing solutions that truly serve all.
These features highlight just a fraction of the impactful stories and data driving understanding and action across our region. Visit our website to dive deeper into these resources and learn more.
