MSC South, one of the city’s largest homeless shelters
by Amanda Witherell
DAY ONE – Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Multi-Service Center South, 525 Bryant Street
In San Francisco, you’re not supposed to just walk into a homeless shelter and get a bed, but I decide to give it a shot.
The woman behind the counter wants my “last four.” I have no idea what she’s talking about. She clarifies – of my social security number.
“I don’t think you’re going to find me in the system,” I tell her.
“You’ve never been here?” She says with surprise. She sets up an account for me, with my name, SSN, and date of birth. (Later, I discover I’ve been listed as male — something one of her co-workers kindly fixes.)
I’m told they only have beds at Ella Hill Hutch – do I know where that is? I shake my head no. She passes me off to another staffer, named W. who looks at the clock and decides he’ll “drop beds” and see if they can get me in here tonight instead. He goes through the reservations and identifies the no-shows who haven’t turned up in time for curfew at 6:30. The rule is simple: miss curfew, good-bye bed.