A neighborhood upgrade

Maybe it's finally underway? The former Salvation Army building on Valencia was supposed to become a psychiatric respite center for the city’s homeless and mentally ill -- last April. But like most everything else, the project was derailed by the pandemic. Now the powers-that-be say the neighborhood will be getting the new center this April. 

It's to be called Hummingbird Place ... a strangely upbeat moniker, it seems to me. 

According to the Chron: 

... The original Hummingbird, with about 30 beds, is on San Francisco General Hospital’s campus. It serves people who are in the midst of a psychotic episode, and often also struggling with substance use.

Some people stay for a few hours, while others stay for weeks. Clients often move to another treatment program, or back to the streets.

The new site on Valencia Street was originally slated for 30 overnight beds and 25 daytime beds. But, due to the pandemic, it will open with about 25 overnight beds so clients can socially distance. There will be no daytime beds, but some people will be able to drop in for access to services like laundry and food.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm all for it. We're surrounded by people who need so much help of so many different forms ...