https://sffnb.org/list-of-san-francisco-empty-and-abandoned-buildings/
San Francisco’s housing crisis is a grim reality, with thousands of people struggling to survive on the streets while hundreds of buildings sit abandoned and unused. As the city continues to pour money into new housing projects, some activists argue that we don’t need more buildings; we need to use the spaces we already have. One organization, Food Not Bombs, has taken this message to heart by creating a list of abandoned buildings throughout the city. Their goal? To raise awareness and encourage the public to see these empty spaces as potential homes for people in need, not just neglected properties.
Food Not Bombs has gone a step further by distributing this list of abandoned buildings to San Francisco’s Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), which in turn provides it to people without shelter. By putting this information directly into the hands of the unhoused, they’re giving people the chance to take matters into their own hands—to find shelter in spaces that the city has allowed to sit vacant. In many cases, the police have adopted a more lenient approach, allowing unhoused individuals to stay in these buildings instead of arresting them. It’s a grassroots, DIY solution to an issue that has long resisted traditional remedies.
But this approach is more than just a practical response to homelessness—it’s a call to action for the public to rethink housing. Why should the city invest millions in new projects when existing buildings could be repurposed for immediate use? Each abandoned building represents an opportunity to reduce homelessness without additional construction, zoning battles, or lengthy bureaucratic processes. Cities like Detroit and New York have found success in turning empty spaces into community hubs and shelters, proving that repurposing isn’t just feasible; it’s effective.
At the core of this issue is the stigma surrounding homelessness and addiction. Too often, people struggling with addiction or homelessness are seen as “others,” an “us vs. them” mentality that fuels policies focused on punishment rather than support. Food Not Bombs and similar organizations are working to challenge this narrative, pushing for a perspective that sees these individuals as valuable members of the community. Their motto, “We’re here, we’re high, get used to it,” encapsulates this fight to end stigma and shift the focus toward providing meaningful solutions.
Imagine if the entire homeless and recovery community were mobilized to vote and advocate for policies that prioritize repurposing abandoned spaces and funding addiction support. These are the people who understand the issue firsthand, and their voices could reshape San Francisco’s approach to housing. Food Not Bombs and other advocates argue that we have the resources—it’s just a matter of changing how we use them.
San Francisco has the potential to lead by example, to turn empty buildings into lifelines for those in need, and to redefine what it means to care for our community. By breaking down the barriers of “us vs. them,” we can build a city where everyone has a place to call home.
List of abandoned buildings in San Francisco LINK
