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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 31: San Francisco, renowned for its high quality of life, is facing a crisis of homelessness driven by escalating housing costs. The city's affordability issues are displacing low-income residents and contributing to homelessness. Footage captured by Anadolu on July 31 reveals the stark reality of the situation, with numerous homeless individuals visible on the streets of San Francisco. Once celebrated as a vibrant economic hub and one of California's premier cities, San Francisco is now grappling with significant challenges, including a shrinking population and a worsening drug epidemic. The city's drug crisis and homelessness are closely linked, exacerbated by skyrocketing rents that many residents find unattainable. Near San Francisco's City Hall, the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and Willow Street has become notorious for its encampments and open-air drug activities. Residents report frequent public defecation and drug use, with property values plummeting as luxury condominiums overlook scenes of encampments and public drug use. Despite numerous complaints about safety and cleanliness, many residents feel their concerns have not been adequately addressed. The latest national data from January 2023 shows that 653,104 people experienced homelessness across the U.S. on a single night, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. In San Francisco, the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count recorded 8,323 homeless individuals. Of these, 3,969 were staying in shelters, reflecting a 7.3% increase in the homeless population since 2022. (Footage by Tayfun CoÅŸkun /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)