Young people in San Francisco who are homeless and exchanging sex for money, drugs and shelter is nothing new, but may not be obvious.  Many work out deals while panhandling.  They are not interested in city assistance.

At about 12:30 a.m. last Friday, Addison Vigil, 20, sat in a grassy patch at United Nations Plaza, two miles away from the Castro. Next to him, about a dozen people were sleeping as workers hosed down the popular plaza.

Being propositioned for sex acts is…”the name of the game, especially if you’re young and you look decent.” according to Vigil.  When he is in the Castro district it occurs “two or three times a day.” Around UN Plaza, though, not as often.

Young people display moderate interest in the services of local nonprofits.  Vigil, when asked if he thought there should be more services offered said “More Feeds” and that people should bring food to him.

Sergeant Chuck Limbert, the LGBT liaison for San Francisco’s Police Department’s Mission Station, that oversees neighborhoods such as the Castro area said “Some of our homeless have a very strong mindset… They just want to be free to do what they want to do.”

For further teaching on homelessness and how it can affect a city see this link from Prophet.tv.

from Homeless Youth Trading Sex for Money, Shelter Persists :: EDGE San Francisco.