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Issue Areas

Based on GLIDE’s expertise developing innovative programs and building on the lived experiences of our community members, GLIDE has developed an initial set of policy goals in each of the identified issues below. The pursuit of these policy goals will help dismantle barriers to self-sufficiency and create a more equitable and just society.

Homelessness and Housing | Community Health | Racial Justice and Reconciliation | Women and Families of Color

Homelessness and Housing
During the pandemic year of 2020-21, 49% of GLIDE’s clients were homeless or marginally housed. Many lived on the streets, in their vehicles, some in shelters, some in in SROs, in transitional housing and some with friends and family. During this same period, the housing status of another 20% was simply unknown. GLIDE’s hands-on support to increase our client’s housing readiness can only go so far without broader housing reform. We advocate to expand the availability of affordable housing that meets the needs and incomes of GLIDE’s clients and other unhoused individuals. We help to shape systems that prevent and shorten periods of homelessness. We work to reduce racial housing disparities through programs and policies that combat discrimination. Combined, these CSJ policy and advocacy efforts help to alleviate the suffering of those experiencing homelessness through programs and policies centered around the needs of unhoused individuals.
Community Health
58% of GLIDE’s clients have a mental health condition, 56% have a substance abuse problem and 44% have a chronic health condition. But many of GLIDE’s clients, particularly those that are unhoused, are unable to receive adequate treatment. CSJ works to: Improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of medical care for unhoused individuals. Improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of mental health care for unhoused individuals. Decriminalize drug use and reallocate funding towards treatment and harm reduction services. Expand food security and nutrition programs serving unhoused individuals
Racial Justice and Reconciliation
During the pandemic year of 2020-21, 69% of GLIDE’s clients identified as people of color and 28% are African American. This is no accident, as structural racism across many of the systems that cause and perpetuate homelessness result in African Americans making up ~37% of the City’s homeless, but only 5% of its total population. GLIDE works to end systemic racism by changing systems, policies and practices to create a more just and equitable world. Truth Justice and Reconciliation: CSJ leads TJ&R processes to examine and confront racial injustice and identify some form of healing or redress (potentially including reparations). Restorative Criminal Justice: CSJ works to eliminate racial disparities in policing, police violence, sentencing and incarceration rates; and increase funding going towards eight necessary life domains — including nourishment and food security; essential life skills and needs; shelter and housing; family relationships; substance use treatment; mental health care; medical care; and community building. By achieving attainment in these domains individuals can reach stability and thrive for good.
Women and Families of Color
Poverty disproportionately impacts women and families of color – nearly half of families experiencing poverty in San Francisco are headed by women of color. Child poverty has lasting effects on health, income, and wellbeing, but promoting family economic independence can break these intergenerational cycles of poverty. GLIDE works to expand pathways to economic independence for women and families, enact policies that promote family safety and resilience and to enact programs and policies that support children’s health, well-being and development.

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