Reports from the field
Residents are making sweeping changes
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Residents of the Castro St RV camp have been working with SOS Richmond and other organizations and city agencies to improve health and safety conditions there, while waiting for the chance to transition into more permanent housing. Over 30 Castro residents have been moved into transitional or permanent housing with the help of CORE teams from the County and Housing Coalition of the East Bay.
Nine Castro residents are currently working for SOS as part of the Streets Team or Shower Power staff earning $18/hour and working 20 hours a week on average. Twenty one tons of trash have been removed since January 1, and 14 solar power stations for charging cell phones are now being installed. Nearly 200 showers have been provided by the SOS Shower Power trailer. Neighbor Aid, a local non-profit, delivers fresh water to the camp three times a week. Since September, over 60,000 gallons of water has been provided. Parking arrangements for existing vehicles have been reconfigured to allow for easier trash removal and to reduce fire hazards. Seven damaged or dangerous vehicles have been removed by city agencies. Concrete barriers are being installed to block new occupancy whenever a vehicle is removed. Six Castro residents pitched in March 24 along with SOS Streets team employees to sweep and remove trash throughout the small enclave. “Our long term goal is to end RV parking and camping on Castro St.” Said Antoine Williams, SOS Mobile Team Coordinator, but that means finding permanent housing for those still living here. That’s going to take months of effort. Meanwhile, we want the area to be as clean and safe as possible.” 
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 Castro residents Dosha Arnold and Michael Tyner with Herman Martinez, SOS streets Team,
pitched in March 23 in a safety and sanitation campaign.
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