In the Bay Area, where housing costs are skyrocketing, the inability to save money can force some families out of their home and into the street because of one crisis, such as a car breaking down. In cases like this, some are forced to stay in motels until they run out of monetary resources, while others wander between family and friends. In extreme cases, entire families resort to sleeping in their vehicles. Homeless teens in Berkeley know life on the streets isn't easy. Sleeping is not a privilege, it's a right.
Police claim they ticket the homeless to create a safer environment.
Andrew Rateaver, of the Berkeley police department. The complaints come from both sides. In Fremont, just south of Berkeley, homelessness isn't any less severe. But her feelings about her homelessness echo that of the Berkeley teens. Before finding herself at the shelter, Betty used to be a salaried nurse who had little problems with meeting her basic needs.