NPR's Book of the Day 'The Lost and the Found' takes an intimate look at homelessness in San Francisco
May 14, 2025
Kevin Fagan, a seasoned reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle and author of 'The Lost and the Found', shares his intimate insights into homelessness in San Francisco. He dives into the poignant stories of Rita and Tyson, who descended into chronic homelessness due to a combination of addiction and mental health struggles. Fagan reflects on his own experiences with poverty, while examining the historical policies from the Reagan era that contributed to today's crisis. This discussion highlights the need for systemic change and community support.
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Kevin Fagan's Homelessness Experience
- Kevin Fagan experienced homelessness and poverty personally from a young age.
- He lived in an unfinished garage, slept in his car, and was a street singer abroad.
Root Causes of 1980s Homelessness Spike
- The 1980s saw an explosion in homelessness due to mental institution closures and cuts to social services.
- Reagan-era policies defunded social programs, worsening the crisis for mentally ill and homeless people.
Rita's Cascade into Homelessness
- Rita was a high school graduate with a good upbringing who fell into heroin addiction.
- Her drug use, divorce, and poor relationship choices led her to chronic homelessness in San Francisco.