Rainy days in San Diego may mean traffic jams and longer commutes for some people. But for the city’s homeless population the rain can bring about dire situations.
Bob McElory spent his day at the Neal Good Day Center passing out large sheets of plastic to homeless people. He said it’s the best protection against the rain and keeps people warm too.
McElroy is president of the Alpha Project, which serves San Diego’s homeless population. He said the rain is more than inconvenience for people living on the streets.
“It’s hell, especially when it’s wet and cold. We just had a guy die yesterday in a wheelchair out here on the street corner of 17th and K,” he said.
McElroy said people huddle under bridges, doorways and trees trying to keep out of the rain. He said if there were 200 animals stuck out in the rain people would be outraged. But when it comes to the homeless people he said no one seems to care.
McElroy said the delays in locating a temporary winter homeless shelter somewhere in the city amounts to playing politics with people’s lives.
