I’ve spent quite a bit of time in San Francisco lately.  It’s an amazing city.

Back in the mid-90′s I started a company with several friends called IRdg (Intergalactic Research and Development Group).  One of the other company founders was a guy named Mike.   I hadn’t seen Mike in many years and recently re-connected with him in San Francisco during the Random Hacks of Kindness event I helped organize.  I also found out that he had recently moved out of the city proper because of the “homeless problem”.

Mind you, Mike was a guy who lived out of his car when he first moved to California, and is one of the most unassuming people I know…so to hear him talk about leaving the city because of the “homeless problem?”…well, it was a bit of a surprise.  He underscored his point as he led 12 or so of the RHoK SF hackers on an impromptu Sunday afternoon field trip down 6th street near Mission, passing block after block of impoverished, homeless and street people.   I never felt threatened, but this wasn’t something I had experienced before.

California (and San Francisco, in particular), has been lauded for their progressive social programs.  It certainly seems they are overwhelmed with this issue.  According to the SF Chronicle:   “The city spends $200 million a year trying to get homeless people off the streets and into a better way of life – but over 20 years, the problem has only gotten worse.

The more able of the homeless find their way into shelters, counseling and housing programs. But the most chronically indigent, called the hard core, steadfastly refuse most help and stay outside. These 3,000 to 5,000 homeless at the very bottom are the most visible, and they give the city its dubious distinction of having what many call the worst homeless problem in the country.”  The SF Gate has much more on the subject:  San Francisco Homeless.

Orlando has had its share of challenges with homelessness.  Anyone who lives or works downtown knows it’s an ongoing issue.  If you can track it down, the Orlando-made documentary film, “My Father’s Son” is an excellent look at the sometimes complex reasons why some people prefer to live on the edges of “modern society” rather than be a part of it (the soundtrack includes music from several well-known Orlando bands).

I met Mark Horvath (@hardlynormal) last year at the 140 Characters conference.  Mark used to be homeless, and now he brings attention to the issue through his site Invisible People: