Every time the topic comes up, people from across the country start commenting on SF&#x27;s homelessness woes. I live in SF, and consider our homeless situation unique. There are lots of mentally ill people, who have been hanging around for many years, thanks to good weather and generous people (and the easy availability of some drugs).  Most of these people are NOT your typical &quot;lost my job, lost my apartment, and hence am homeless&quot; types. Many of them are so mentally ill that putting them in a mental institution is the only option. They simply cannot take care of themselves.