Crystal Sanchez originally published the following article on Sacramento Homeless Union on July, 2024.
Sacramento Homeless Union
Climate change and extreme weather is a real thing. This is evidenced by the fact that extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and more intense. These extreme weather events can lead to floods, droughts, extreme heatwaves, and other natural disasters that can have a devastating effect on our communities, especially our unhoused communities.
Projects of Survival that provide communities with the resources they need to cope and survive these extreme weather events are urgently needed and preventative measures must be systematically changed. Unhoused people live directly in these elements without protection. Without proper planning and resources, these communities are often left vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Without access to adequate shelter, food, hydration, healthcare, and other basic needs, they are much more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather events. Projects that provide these communities with the resources they need to cope with and survive these extreme weather events are essential in order to reduce suffering and save lives.
Oftentimes any protection they have is taken away through sweeps and bad policy. These are State-created dangers that continue to kill our unhoused communities on these streets. Sweeps are when cities or states forcibly remove homeless encampments, often without any warning or notice and often right before extreme weather events. Bad policies can include laws that criminalize homelessness, such as laws that make it illegal to sleep in public or to sit on sidewalks. These policies put people in direct danger and have serious consequences for homeless communities.
This week an unhoused deaf senior man died in this extreme heat on the streets of the City of Sacramento. The county of Sacramento pulled their water contract, stopping water distribution to at least 40 encampments including his. They gave local jurisdictions like the City of Sacramento the option to take over the contract which the City declined to do. Extreme weather does not affect just those who are living on our streets. We have many people reaching out to us who don’t have air conditioning, who are working in these conditions, and who are struggling. Projects of survival that the Homeless Union and community groups are doing are imperative for making a difference between life and death for those on the streets. Without these projects, people are unable to get the resources they need to survive in extreme temperatures. This includes access to water, food, and shelter. Without these basic necessities, people are in danger of suffering serious health complications and even death.
The final resting place of a gentleman named Steven, known on the streets as Snoop. Snoop was of African-American descent, a hearing-impaired senior who was 62 years old. [Comment by Crystal Sanchez]./ Photo Sacramento Homeless Union
Extreme temperatures pose significant health risks to homeless individuals. Without access to air conditioning, shelter, and hydration, they are at a higher risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses. These health risks are exacerbated by the lack of proper healthcare and the inability to seek medical attention promptly, making it crucial to provide resources and support to ensure the well-being and survival of those experiencing homelessness. Therefore, homelessness and extreme heat are closely interconnected and must be addressed in tandem to ensure safety.
We want to thank our community and local organizations who have donated, collaborated, shared our posts, and reached out to the City of Sacramento and The County of Sacramento about this injustice! You, the Community are the real heroes saving people’s lives who are suffering in this deadly heat wave. The unhoused and the Homeless Union thank you!
Below are recent posts from social media made by the Sacramento Homeless Union and its president, Crystal Sanchez:
I find it heartbreaking that there are unhoused people dying on our streets in this heatwave without access to the basics like water and basic needs that they need to survive. This is an incredibly unjust situation and reflects a lack of resources and care for those who are most vulnerable in our society. It’s a tragedy that these people are suffering without the basic assistance they need to stay alive. This is further compounded by the fact that the government failed to provide adequate resources to prevent this situation from happening. They had ample time to prepare for this heatwave and should have done more to provide safe shelter and relief to the unhoused population. Instead, they chose to remove the water as this heat wave approached. This lack of action reflects a disregard for the well-being of the most marginalized members of our society. His friend found him. Can you imagine the trauma of finding your friends over and over like this?
REST EASY SNOOP. Sorry, you had to struggle here and that your life ended here.
With dignity and respect,
The Sacramento Homeless Union
It was reported that an unhoused man was found in his tent dead from heat exhaustion. He was in a location where the county had recently stopped dropping water. This is unacceptable. – Crystal Sanchez
